Australia have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India, with Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Tim David, and Tanveer Sangha not making the cut. The preliminary squad had 18 players, but that has been trimmed down.
In the pace-bowling department, Sean Abbott secured the fourth spot, joining Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Abbott’s greater experience, with 11 career ODIs compared to Ellis’ four, and his stronger batting skills worked in his favor during the selection process.
Josh Inglis will be the backup batter and also act as the understudy Alex Carey, the first-choice wicketkeeper. Interestingly, Australia did not opt for a backup wicketkeeper in last year’s T20 World Cup, following Inglis’s hand injury right before the tournament.
It’s important to note that this 15-player squad is a provisional one and can be modified until the ICC’s mandated deadline of September 28.
Australia’s ODI World Cup squad:
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.