Cricket World Cup 2023: Australia announces 15-man squad headlined by Pat Cummins, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell

Australian selectors have cut three players from the preliminary 18-man squad for the ODI World Cup. See the changes ahead of next month’s tournament in India.

Daniel Cherny

@danielcherny

2 min read

September 6, 2023 - 11:03AM

Ashes stars join ODI tour of South Africa

Cricket

Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Australian selectors have backed in their veteran stars to regain full fitness by the World Cup with experience winning the day in a provisional 15-man squad for the one-day showpiece beginning in India next month.

All-rounder Aaron Hardie, emerging legspinner Tanveer Sangha and specialist white-ball seamer Nathan Ellis are the three men cut from the preliminary 18-man squad named by the selection panel last month, although all three remain on standby in the event of injury.

But selection chair George Bailey said on Wednesday that Steve Smith (wrist), Pat Cummins (wrist), Mitchell Starc (groin) and Glenn Maxwell (ankle) were all progressing in their respective recoveries from injuries and could yet feature in the three-match one-day international series against India later this month that serves as a key warm-up for the tournament.

Of that group, only Cummins has headed to South Africa to be part of the squad for the five-match ODI series against the Proteas beginning on Thursday night (Australian time), and even then he is unlikely to feature in that series.

Pat Cummins will captain Australia’s 15-man squad. Picture: Getty Images

Despite an impressive entrance into international cricket during the Twenty20 leg of the South African tour, Sangha remains behind mainstay spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar, while Ellis was shaded for the fourth pace spot by Sean Abbott.

Marnus Labuschagne is in South Africa as a replacement for Smith, but remains a clear understudy to the former captain and likely only to get a look-in in India should Smith be unavailable.

Likewise T20 blaster Tim David will have the chance to prove his worth in the 50-over format against the Proteas, but realistically is behind Maxwell in the pecking order.

The squad remains subject to change until September 28, and even then selectors have capacity to make amendments in the case of injury.

“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,” Bailey said.

“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.”

The presence of seam bowling all-rounders Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green provides immense opportunities for flexibility, while there is intrigue around the top of the order after Travis Head’s rise in limited-overs cricket.

That Cummins is captain means selectors are likely to feel a squeeze for spots in the XI.

Josh Inglis remains firmly in the picture, selected as a spare gloveman and batting depth behind Alex Carey.

The Aussies are vying for what would be their sixth ODI world title.