Ellis and Davies out of the South Africa tour with injury

Australia's white-ball tour of South Africa has suffered a fresh setback with pace spearhead Nathan Ellis and young spinner Joel Davies ruled out due to injuries. The twin blows compound a difficult campaign for the visitors, who have already dropped the three-match ODI series following a comprehensive defeat in Johannesburg. Key Injury Setbacks in South Africa Nathan Ellis: Australia's standout bowler across the Zimbabwe and South Africa legs has sustained a left side strain. He managed just four overs in the second ODI before leaving the field, severely hampering the bowling attack as South Africa posted a formidable 365 to clinch the series. Joel Davies: The left-arm spinner has been forced out with a hamstring strain suffered while fielding as a substitute during the second ODI. Davies heads home without making an appearance on the tour. Squad Impact: With no replacements named for the final ODI in Potchefstroom, Australia's fast-bowling stocks are stretched thin. Only four fit quicks remain available, though Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are expected to return to the lineup. Ellis will return home for immediate assessment and rehabilitation, targeting a comeback for the home ODI series against England starting November 13. He marks the second Australian quick to fall to a side strain on the tour, following Billy Stanlake's injury in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, attention also remains on wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis, with selectors yet to decide if he will recover in time for the Test series opener on October 9 after breaking his finger in Durban. Australia A Squad Adjustments in India Concurrently, national selectors have heavily rotated the Australia A squad currently touring India to accommodate the domestic Sheffield Shield schedule. Departures: Brendan Doggett, Fergus O'Neill, and Campbell Kellaway have flown home to prepare for the start of the domestic first-class season. Replacements: Sam Harper, Jhye Richardson, and Liam Hatcher have stepped into the squad for the second unofficial Test in Puducherry. One-Day Changes: Riley Meredith and Will Sutherland join the one-day squad for an upcoming three-match series, replacing Jack Edwards—who remains in South Africa covering for Cameron Green—and Aaron Hardie, sidelined by a minor knee issue. As Australia navigates these personnel shifts across two continents, the focus shifts to securing a consolation win in the final ODI and managing player workloads ahead of a packed home summer.