As Australia gears up for the ODI World Cup in India, there have been some surprising developments in the team selection. The omission of Marnus Labuschagne, a key player in Australia’s ODI lineup, has raised eyebrows among cricket enthusiasts. However, this setback has opened doors for uncapped talents like leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and all-rounder Aaron Hardie, who have earned surprise call-ups to the extended 18-man squad. Australia is preparing for an intense battle in the highly anticipated tournament, with the final squad set to be trimmed to 15 in early September.
Marnus Labuschagne’s exclusion from the ODI World Cup squad has been the most notable talking point. Having been a consistent performer for Australia since his debut in January 2020, Labuschagne’s omission comes as a surprise. With an impressive average of 31.37 in 30 matches, the talented batsman’s World Cup dreams have been shattered.
In the lead-up to the World Cup, Australia has faced injury concerns. Fast bowler Pat Cummins suffered a fractured wrist, sidelining him for six weeks. Despite this setback, Cummins is expected to join the ODI squad in South Africa for the series before returning to play in India. His experience and expertise will be vital for Australia’s pace attack in the tournament.
Including 21-year-old leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha in the extended ODI squad has been a bolt from the blue. Sangha has not played top-level cricket since September last year due to a back stress fracture. However, his impressive performances in domestic cricket and prior involvement with Australia’s T20 squad have caught the selectors’ attention, earning him a well-deserved opportunity on the world stage.
Aaron Hardie’s selection in both the ODI and T20 squads showcases the high regard the selectors hold him in. The Western Australian all-rounder has displayed his talent and potential in domestic competitions, making a strong case for his inclusion in the national side. Hardie’s performances will be closely monitored as he competes with other all-rounders for a spot in the final World Cup squad.
Despite the changes in the squad, Australia’s selection chair George Bailey expressed confidence in the team’s skill and experience. With several seasoned players in the lineup, the team aims to make a mark in the upcoming World Cup.
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Veteran David Warner and Travis Head will likely form a formidable left-handed opening combination for Australia in the World Cup. However, the presence of players like Mitch Marsh, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, and Sean Abbott will add competition for the seam-bowling all-rounder positions. The spin department will be well-covered with the likes of Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, and Tanveer Sangha, while the pace-bowling firepower will be provided by Nathan Ellis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.
2023 Qantas Tour of South Africa
September 7: First ODI, Bloemfontein (D/N), 9pm AEST
September 9: Second ODI, Bloemfontein (D/N), 9pm AEST
September 12: Third ODI, Potchefstroom (D/N), 9pm AEST
September 15: Fourth ODI, Centurion (D/N), 9pm AEST
September 17: Fifth ODI, Johannesburg, 6pm AEST
2023 Qantas Tour of India
September 22: First ODI, Mohali (D/N), 6pm AEST
September 24: Second ODI, Indore (D/N), 6pm AEST
September 27: Third ODI, Rajkot (D/N), 6pm AEST
