Australia Announces 15-Player Squad for World Cup 2023

Australia has announced its 15-player squad for the upcoming World Cup 2023, with Sean Abbott earning his maiden World Cup berth. The selection was made with a preference for all-rounders, leaving out Marnus Labuschagne from the team.

Abbott secured the fourth pace-bowling spot, edging out Nathan Ellis due to his additional experience and stronger batting skills. He joins the ‘big three’ of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.

The squad also includes Josh Inglis as the reserve batter and wicketkeeping understudy to Alex Carey. Notably, Australia did not select a backup gloveman for last year’s T20 World Cup after Inglis injured his hand on the eve of the tournament.

The team is heavy on all-rounders, with Cameron Green, Mitch Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, and Glenn Maxwell capable of batting in the top seven. Frontline bowlers Ashton Agar and Abbott are also competent batters.

However, the squad remains provisional and can be changed up until the ICC-mandated deadline of September 28, providing Australia with considerable flexibility.

Despite his omission, Labuschagne, who was a late call-up due to an injury to Steve Smith, could still make it to the squad through strong performances in the upcoming ODIs against South Africa and India.

Several players, including Smith, Cummins, Starc, and Maxwell, are currently nursing injuries. However, selection chief George Bailey expressed confidence that all four will be fit for the six-week tournament and could return in a three-ODI series against India before the World Cup begins.

The final squad will be declared after eight one-day matches in South Africa and India, followed by two World Cup practice games. This schedule offers plenty of opportunities for players to prove their worth and secure a place in the final squad.

Here is a complete squad for World Cup 2023.

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