Warne to miss first two ODIs against South Africa

Australia's champion legspinner Shane Warne will miss the first two Standard Bank One-Day Internationals against South Africa with a hamstring strain, it was learned on Thursday night.

Warne, who bowled a marathon 70 overs in the second Test match at Newlands, is likely to be out for the first game in the seven-match series at the Wanderers as well as the second match at SuperSport Park near Pretoria on Sunday.

His absence could give 20-year-old Nathan Hauritz an unexpectedly early debut in One-Day cricket as Australia's spin option for the first at least one of the first two games against South Africa. Speaking on Thursday captain Ricky Ponting said Australia planned to field their strongest combinations for the first two or three matches of the series, but Warne's unavailability might open the door for 20-year-old offspinner Hauritz.