Mitchell Owen, Australia&rsquo;s newest cricket sensation, is set to transition from T20Is to ODIs as he prepares for his debut in the upcoming three-match series against South Africa, beginning August 19 in Cairns and Mackay.
At just 23 years old, Owen burst onto the international stage during the T20I series against the West Indies, where he showcased his explosive batting, notching scores of 50, 36, 2, and 37* at an astounding strike rate of 192.30 while batting at No. 6. His aggressive style and composure in the death overs, combined with handy medium-pace bowling, earned him a spot in Australia's ODI squad, as the team charts a post-veteran transition following the retirements of Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis.
Though Owen made his name as a BBL opener, his performances in the middle order have demonstrated his versatility. &ldquo;Whether I&rsquo;m opening or batting lower down, my mindset won&rsquo;t change. I just try to hit the ball hard &mdash; defending puts me in a shell, and that doesn&rsquo;t work for me,&rdquo; Owen said.
The Cairns and Mackay ODIs will follow a T20I series against the same opposition in Darwin and Cairns, and form a key part of Australia's build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Owen's rise has been rapid. Since April, he&rsquo;s played 26 T20 matches across five countries, including stints in the PSL, IPL, and MLC, learning to adapt quickly to different pitches and conditions. &ldquo;The biggest lesson has been about preparation &mdash; finding my process when there&rsquo;s no time to train extensively. Playing in Pakistan, India, the US, and the Caribbean gave me experience I can now bank,&rdquo; he shared.
As Owen joins the Australian squad in Darwin this week, all eyes will be on whether his T20 success can carry over to the 50-over format, helping usher in a new generation of fearless Australian cricketers.
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Australia's rising star gears up for ODI debut vs South Africa with confidence from T20I

Mitchell Owen Eyes ODI Impact After T20I Heroics

Australia's rising star gears up for ODI debut vs South Africa with confidence from T20I

August 4, 2025 | 19:18 IST