Fast bowler Mitchell Starc will not be available for Australia’s third and final ODI against the Proteas at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Sunday.

Starc has been allowed to leave the tour to watch wife Alyssa Healy play for Australia Women in Sunday’s Women’s T20 World Cup final against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

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‘It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Mitch to watch Alyssa in a home World Cup final and so we were happy to allow him to return home to support his wife and be part of a fantastic occasion,’ said head coach Justin Langer.

‘It is something we have been talking about for a while and, given Mitch has had a considerable workload in all three formats this summer, his heading home a couple of days ahead of the rest of the squad means he will have a chance to refresh ahead of our home and away ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand that will wrap up our season.

‘We have plenty of fast bowling options with us here in South Africa with Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson all sitting out our previous match in Bloemfontein, and Mitch’s absence will offer one of them an opportunity to impress in Saturday’s match.’

South Africa have an unassailable two-nil series lead after victories in Paarl and Bloemfontein.

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