Australia has announced their 18-player squad for the upcoming 2023 World Cup in India, with Pat Cummins taking the reins as captain. Cricket Australia revealed that the same lineup will persist for the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa and India, serving as a crucial buildup to the prestigious tournament. Ahead of the event, the preliminary squad is anticipated to be trimmed down to a final selection of 15 players.
There had been doubts over whether Cummins could play in their tour of India next month after it was reported that the fast bowler had played the fifth Ashes Test with a suspected broken wrist. Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey has confirmed that Cummins has “an undisplaced fracture of his left radius which requires six weeks rehabilitation.” However, he is expected to join the team for their ODI series in South Africa later this month.
“We view a period of enforced rest for Pat as a positive ahead of this important World Cup campaign. There are still several games he could play before the World Cup. It is more than enough for him to have a strong preparation,”
Cummins last played an ODI match in November 2022 and has captained Australia in the format in just two matches. Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne, who is among the first names in the Australian Test teamsheet, has been ignored. Labuschagne had played in Australia’s ODI series in India earlier this year. In 30 ODI matches, Labuschagne has averaged 31.37.
Australia tours South Africa for a five-match ODI series starting on September 7. They will then travel to India where they play the Rohit Sharma-led side in a three-match ODI series. It will be played before the start of the World Cup. “This side has been extremely impressive for several years in limited-overs cricket,”
Australia Squad:
Pat Cummins ( C), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
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