Australia Announces Squad for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023:

In the lead-up to the much-anticipated ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Australia have officially announced their final 15-member squad. The team, initially comprising 18 players in its preliminary form, has undergone the expected trimming process as the tournament’s commencement draws near. Notably, three players – Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha and Aaron Hardie – have not made the final cut. The decision to finalize the squad comes following thorough deliberations by the Australian selection committee, which aimed to balance experience and youthful exuberance.

Australia Announces Squad for ODI World Cup 2023:

The competition for spots in the squad was fierce, with several talented players vying for their place on the world stage. Hardie, who showcased his all-round abilities against South Africa; Ellis, known for his excellent death bowling and Sangha, a promising young spinner, have unfortunately missed out on the opportunity to represent Australia in the prestigious tournament.

Australia: The Perennial Powerhouse

Fast bowler Pat Cummins will lead the Australian side – with experienced quicks Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc providing him support with the new ball – while Sean Abbott is preferred over Ellis for the final spot in the squad as a back-up pacer. Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa provide the spinning options. There were few surprises among the batters, with David Warner, Steve Smith and Travis Head likely to be used among the top-order and all-rounders Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green adding some depth to a high-quality batting line-up. Alex Carey and Josh Inglis are the two keepers in the squad, with Carey the first choice after he performed admirably at the last World Cup in England and Wales in 2019. Australia are currently in South Africa preparing for a five-game ODI series against the Proteas before they travel to the sub-continent for a three-match ODI series against India at the end of this month. They will then get further practice prior to the World Cup with official warm-up fixtures against the Netherlands and Pakistan.

While a handful of Australian stars have niggling injuries to overcome, chief selector George Bailey believes all 15 players in the squad will take some part in the India series at the backend of this month and be declared fit prior to the final squad being submitted to the ICC on September 28. “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.”

Australia 2023 World Cup Squad:

Here is the 15-player squad that will surely be impactful for their team performance in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 in India:

Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey(wk), David Warner, Josh Inglis(wk), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.

Why did Marnus Labuschagne not in the squad?

The Marnus exclusion from the squad surprises everyone. Australia have left out Marnus Labuschagne from their initial squad for the CWC 2023. The reason for that is his bad form in this format. In 28 innings, he averages 31.37 with a strike rate of 83.20. In Asia, his numbers drop further as his average slips to 28.91 and his strike rate to 77.45. With many all-rounder options in the squad, Australia has decided to leave Labuschagne out.

Deadline to Make Further Changes in the Squad:

While the deadline to submit the World Cup squad to the ICC is September 5, teams can make changes until September 28 without needing approval from the ICC. Australia will begin their World Cup on Sunday, October 8, with a match against India in Chennai, while their league stage ends with a clash against Bangladesh on Saturday, November 11, in Pune. 

Conclusion:

Australia, known for its dominance in world cricket, has a rich history of success in the World Cup, making them strong contenders for the title once again. The squad features a mix of experienced players and some promising new additions, reflecting the team’s determination to reclaim the title they have won five times in the history of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups. With experienced leadership and a talented pool of key players, Australia is well-prepared to compete fiercely on the grand stage.