Australia, the five-time World Cup champions, have announced their 15-man roster for the 2019 ODI World Cup, which will be held in India in October and November. It’s worth mentioning that Australia first announced an 18-player preliminary team, but they have now reduced it to 15, leaving out Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis, and Tanveer Sangha. Furthermore, Marnus Labuschagne, a Test cricket specialist, has been passed over for this important ICC event. Pat Cummins will captain the Australian side. Other players featuring in the squad are Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, and Mitchell Starc.
Australia will enter the World Cup 2023 with high hopes and a great level of confidence, having previously won an ICC title earlier this year. Australia defeated India in the 2021-2023 World Test Championship Final, claiming the Test mace with amazing skill and precision. Australia, a multiple World Cup winner, will begin their adventure with a thrilling match against India on October 8 at the iconic MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai.
Australia’s next World Cup encounter is expected to take place on October 12 against South Africa at the Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow. Prior to the World Cup, Australia will go to India for a three-match One-Day International series, which will serve as excellent preparation for the mega event. The ODI series between these two cricketing titans will begin on September 22, followed by a five-match T20I series after the World Cup concludes.
Maxwell, Cummins, Smith, and Starc, all four are skipping the current limited-overs tour of South Africa in order to get in shape for the event in India, which begins on October 5. Captain Cummins is rehabilitating from a fractured hand suffered during the previous Ashes series in England, while Smith (wrist), Maxwell (ankle), and Starc (groin) are also sidelined with injuries.
The chief selector, George Bailey, indicated there was still a potential for them to play in the ensuing three-match ODI series against India, which begins on September 22. Cummins, Smith, Starc, and 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 admitted the door was not yet closed with plenty of cricket to be played before the ICC’s squad deadline, September 28.
