Jake Fraser-McGurk axed again as Aussies make sweeping changes to white ball squads

Out-of-sorts young batter Jake Fraser-McGurk has once again been dumped from Australia's white ball cricket squads.

The 23-year-old has been dropped from the lists announced by Cricket Australia on Wednesday as the teams look towards games against South Africa to be held in Cairns, Darwin, and Mackay in August.

Fraser-McGurk - who Ricky Ponting anointed as David Warner's heir less than a year ago - was out for 2 in his sole appearance against the West Indies during the T20 series earlier this month.

READ MORE: McKeown beats US rival to clinch gold after shoulder dislocation

READ MORE: 'Push' for controversial premiership winner to join Tigers

READ MORE: Indian coach busted in foul-mouthed rant at English curator

He averages little more than 14 runs per dig across his 15 appearances for Australia to date.

He joins Tanveer Sangha, Cooper Connolly, and Aaron Hardie in being dropped from the white ball set-up, while Sean Abbott has been selected in the ODI squad only and Xavier Bartlett just the T20 squad.

Mitch Owen has been rewarded for some hot white ball form and is named in the ODI squad for the first time.

Owen played all five T20 matches in the Caribbean and forced selectors into picking him for both squads against South Africa.

Lance Morris, Josh Hazlewood, and Travis Head all return to the white ball squads.

"As we build towards the T20 World Cup the flexibility and depth shown in the West Indies, outside of the obvious results, has been a huge positive," selection chief George Bailey said.

"The flexibility within the batting order and ability of bowlers to bowl in different stages of the innings were particularly pleasing to see.

"Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann making their respective debuts and the preparation and work done by Nathan Ellis to allow him to play all five matches were highlights."

The smaller squad for a home series, along with the return of Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, see some players not part of the squad for this Top End series, but all remain in the frame moving forward and we feel the entire group embraced every opportunity.

"We expect that to continue through this series, and the New Zealand and Indian series later this year, as we balance continued opportunities for players and the preparation for the Test summer."

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will skip the white ball series to prepare for a home Ashes series, while Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell have retired from ODI cricket.

Australia squads vs South Africa

Named in both squads: Mitchell Marsh (c), Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

T20 squad only: Sean Abbott, Tim David, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell

ODI squad only: Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris