Nathan Ellis for Australia [Source: AFP]Australia pacer Nathan Ellis and left-arm spinner Joel Davies have been ruled out of the third and final ODI against South Africa on September 30. Both cricketers will be absent from the final game and will also leave the tour to head back home and undergo rehabilitation.This leaves Australia with only four physically fit pacers to choose from for the final ODI on Wednesday, with Pat Cummins likely to make a massive return after missing the first two ODIs despite being named in the squad.Nathan Ellis and Joel Davies Suffer Injury BlowsJoel Davies will be leaving the tour after suffering a hamstring strain while fielding as a substitute in the second ODI in Johannesburg. Meanwhile, Nathan Ellis will be out due to a left-side strain he suffered after bowling four overs in the second ODI. Soon after sustaining the injury, Ellis did not return to complete his spell. He will now be returning home for further assessments and rehabilitation, with the strain likely to keep him sidelined for a few weeks.Notably, Ellis scalped three wickets in his two appearances on the tour of South Africa. He was particularly impactful in the first ODI, taking a three-wicket haul, while maintaining an economy rate of 5.64 across both ODIs he played. Meanwhile, Joel Davies, the 23-year-old left-arm spinner, did not get to bowl a single ball on the tour. Unfortunately, his injury comes after an impressive display in the Bangladesh series, where he scalped four wickets in three T20I matches at an economy rate of 7.25.Also Read- Watch- Nathan Ellis Grabs Sensational Catch To Embarrass David Miller After Central Contract SnubWhen Will Nathan Ellis Return to Play?The injury has sidelined Ellis for a couple of weeks, with a return in the first week of October unlikely. However, Nathan will be eager to rejoin the squad and regain fitness for the home ODI series against England, which starts on November 13. This gives him roughly one month and one week of recovery time, which should be sufficient for the side strain he has suffered.Meanwhile, Joel Davies returns home after being selected as the second specialist spinner in Australia's ODI squad against South Africa. He will now undergo rehabilitation before returning to play domestic cricket for New South Wales.Who Will Take Nathan Ellis' Place in Australia Playing XI?Notably, Cricket Australia is unlikely to announce a replacement for the injured Ellis. However, among the four fit fast bowlers, Pat Cummins is likely to return to the playing XI alongside Mitchell Starc, who should also play after being rested for the second match. Josh Hazlewood will likely be rested after playing the first two ODIs, while Xavier Bartlett is expected to retain his place in the squad, filling the gap left by Ellis's injury in the already lost ODI series.Speaking of best performers with the ball, among Australian bowlers, Jack Edwards has been the most productive in the series so far, scalping five wickets in his two appearances and achieving a five-wicket haul. Josh Hazlewood has also been Australia's second-highest wicket-taker, picking up four wickets in the first two ODIs, with Adam Zampa scalping only two so far.Also Read- Bangladesh vs Malaysia Live Streaming, Live Telecast- Where To Watch Asian Games Qtr Final 4 2026?
