Aussies cut one-day World Cup squad down to 15

Australia has several injury concerns in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup in India next month, but selectors have backed them in to reach full fitness.

The Aussies have trimmed their 18-man squad down to 15, with Aaron Hardie, Tanveer Sangha and Nathan Ellis told they won’t be playing in India, however they are on standby if one or more of the injured players do not recover.

The Australians are paying $4.50 to win the ODI World Cup, behind home team India ($3.10) and England ($3.75), but will have to overcome the tough sub-continent conditions, that they have often struggled in.

“Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell are on track in their return to play programs. All are well placed to come back online in the coming weeks and potentially for selection in the upcoming series against India,” Australian selection chair George Bailey said.

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While Cummins, Smith, Starc, and Maxwell nurse various injuries, Cummins is the only one currently in South Africa for the five-match ODI series against the Proteas. Although there, he’s anticipated to sit out for most of the series.

Young leg-spinner, Sangha, despite making a noteworthy debut in the T20s against South Africa, couldn’t make the cut due to the presence of experienced spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar.

In the wake of Steve Smith’s absence, Marnus Labuschagne is with the squad in South Africa. However, he is viewed as a second option and is only expected to play in India if Smith remains unavailable.

Similarly, Tim David, known for his T20 exploits, will be aiming to establish his prowess in the 50-over format. However, he ranks behind Maxwell.

The team can still undergo changes until September 28, post which only injuries will permit any alterations.

“There are eight one-day matches still to play in South Africa and India before the final squad is due to be declared,” Bailey said. “They are followed by two World Cup practice games, which offers plenty of opportunity to continue the build for the tournament.”

The Australian sqad sees a strong bowling line-up with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Cummins, Zampa and Agar set to be supported by allrounders Marcus Stoinis, and Cameron Green.

But the top order is still up in the air, with Travis Head’s recent performance in limited-overs cricket adding to the intrigue regarding the openers, with some pundits suggesting David Warner might bat in the middle-order and allow Head and Marsh to open.

The Australians recently defeated South Africa 3-0 in a three-match T20 series in South Africa/

Provisional Australian Squad for ICC 2023 World Cup:

• Pat Cummins (c)
• Sean Abbott
• Ashton Agar
• Alex Carey
• Cameron Green
• Josh Hazlewood
• Travis Head
• Josh Inglis
• Mitchell Marsh
• Glenn Maxwell
• Steve Smith
• Mitchell Starc
• Marcus Stoinis
• David Warner
• Adam Zampa

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