Once again, fast bowler Pat Cummins will lead the team, with the experienced pace duo of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc providing support with the new ball.
Australia, the five-time champions, have finalized their 15-member squad for this year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Initially, Australia had announced an 18-player preliminary squad for the 50-over tournament last month, but they have now reduced it to 15, with the tournament in India just around the corner. Unfortunately, three players who did not make the final cut are all-rounder Aaron Hardie, pacer Nathan Ellis, and young spinner Tanveer Sangha. Instead, selectors have leaned towards experience in the majority of their final 15. Test star Marnus Labuschagne is also excluded from the squad.
Pat Cummins, a fast bowler, will once again lead the team. He will have the support of experienced pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc with the new ball. Sean Abbott has been chosen over Ellis as the backup pacer. Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa will provide the spinning options. Among the batsmen, there were few surprises, with David Warner, Steve Smith, and Travis Head likely to feature in the top order. All-rounders Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Cameron Green add depth to the high-quality batting lineup.
Alex Carey and Josh Inglis are the two wicketkeepers in the squad, with Carey being the first-choice wicketkeeper after his commendable performance in the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales.
Currently, Australia is in South Africa preparing for a five-match ODI series against the Proteas. After that, they will travel to the Indian subcontinent for a three-match ODI series against India at the end of this month. They will have additional practice before the World Cup with official warm-up matches against the Netherlands and Pakistan. Their first match at this year’s event will be against hosts India in Chennai on October 8.
While a few Australian stars are dealing with minor injuries, selection chair George Bailey believes that all 15 players in the squad will participate in some part of the India series later this month and will be declared fit before the final squad submission deadline to the ICC on September 28. Bailey stated, “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.” He added, “There are eight one-day matches still to play in South Africa and India before the final squad is due to be declared. They are followed by two World Cup practice games, which offers plenty of opportunity to continue the build for the tournament.”
Australia’s World Cup squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
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