Cricket Australia on Monday announced an 18-member squad for the ODI World Cup 2023 and the preparatory competitions before that. Australia are set to play the ODI series against South Africa and India before the 2023 tournament gets underway in October. The five-time champions have named a strong squad for the two series and the ODI World Cup in India. In a major move, CA axed Marnus Labuschagne from the 50-over setup.
The squad named by Australia will be trimmed to a 15-member team for the World Cup. "Presenting your 18-player squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup, as well as two lead-in series against South Africa and India!" CA wrote on its Twitter account.
Pat Cummins set to play World Cup, Sangha, Hardie newcomers
Notably, Pat Cummins is the captain for ODIs and is rested from the T20Is due to a wrist fracture in the fifth Test of the Ashes 2023 series. He will reportedly miss the South Africa ODIs too and shall make a comeback in the India series. Australia play against South Africa in three T20Is starting on August 30, followed by a five-match ODI series beginning on September 9. Cummins is expected to play ODIs.
They will then tour India for a three-match ODI series from September 22, followed by the World Cup. Leg spinner Tanveer Sangha and all-rounder Aaron Hardie have been called into the ODI squads that does not feature Marnus Labuschagne. The Aussie batter Labuschagne has played all of the nine ODIs Aussies have played last and 30 across three years. But his dip in form is understood to be the reason behind his omission.
Australia's ODI 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