Australia’s preparations for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India have taken an unexpected turn, with Marnus Labuschagne being dropped from the squad. The talented batsman, who played a significant role in Australia’s ODI lineup since his debut in January 2020, will now miss out on the tournament.
On the other hand, uncapped leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and Western Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie have earned surprise call-ups to the extended 18-man squad, adding a fresh dimension to the team’s prospects. With the squad set to be trimmed to 15 in early September, Australia is gearing up for an intriguing battle in the highly anticipated tournament.
Marnus Labuschagne’s omission from the ODI World Cup squad is undoubtedly the most notable development. Having played 30 matches for Australia since his debut, Labuschagne was a consistent performer, boasting an average of 31.37. However, the selectors have decided to look elsewhere for the crucial tournament, leaving Labuschagne’s World Cup dreams shattered.
In the lead-up to the World Cup, Australia has been faced with injury concerns. Fast bowler Pat Cummins sustained a fractured wrist, keeping him under siege for six weeks. Despite the setback, Cummins is expected to join the ODI squad in South Africa for the series, followed by a return to playing in India. Mitchell Starc, recovering from a shoulder injury during the Ashes, has been cleared for the ODIs in South Africa, bolstering the team’s pace attack.
Australia’s ODI captain has an undisplaced fracture of his left radius, which requires six weeks of rehabilitation. We view a period of enforced rest for Pat as a positive ahead of this important World Cup campaign. There are still several games he could play before the World Cup, which is more than enough for him to have a strong preparation,” said Australia’s selection chair George Bailey.
Tanveer Sangha’s inclusion in the extended ODI squad has been a bolt from the blue. Due to a back stress fracture, the 21-year-old leg-spinner has not played top-level cricket since September last year. However, his impressive domestic cricket performances 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. His performances will be closely observed as he competes with other all-rounders for a final World Cup squad spot.
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“This side has been extremely impressive for several years in limited-overs cricket. There is an enormous amount of skill and experience in the group, which you need in a World Cup,” said Bailey.
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. Spin options will be well-covered with Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, and Tanveer Sangha, while Nathan Ellis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will provide the pace-bowling firepower.
Australia ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
