Australia name trio of debutants for opening T20 clash against Proteas

Spencer Johnson, a left-arm fast bowler, and fellow uncapped pair Matt Short and Aaron Hardie have been named for the tour opener that also includes a five-match ODI series.

Australia have opted to rest most of their first-choice players for the series in the shortest format with Mitchell Marsh set to lead a new-look XI.

Mitchell Starc (groin), Pat Cummins, Steve Smith (both wrist), David Warner, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green (rested) are all absent for the T20s following a taxing few months of Test duties in the Ashes, while limited-overs specialists Glenn Maxwell (ankle) and Ashton Agar (calf) are also unavailable due to injury.

Johnson is said to be a fast bowler with rapid pace, similar to Starc, while Short is listed to open the batting with Travis Head.

All-rounder Hardie had a breakout season in the last Big Bash League (BBL) season with the Perth Scorchers and is listed to bat at number seven.

Head, who captained Johnson in domestic cricket, spoke to reporters about the left-arm quick, saying: "It's (his debut) probably come a little bit quicker than expected. He went through a lot of injury stuff earlier in his career.

"Someone who bowls at high speed and can swing the new ball. He's done it over the last couple of tournaments now over the last couple of months.

"His body is good, he's bowling fast, so hopefully he can be that guy for us at the top of the bowling innings, similar to someone like Starcy for us who can be a match-winner with taking wickets."

The Proteas have also decided to rest some senior players for the T20 leg of the tour with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock and David Miller all sitting out.

Australia XI for first T20: Matt Short, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson

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