Australia has picked a provisional 15-man squad battered by injuries for the 50-over World Cup, taking place in India across October and November.
Captain Pat Cummins (hand), Mitchell Starc (groin), Steve Smith (wrist) and Glenn Maxwell (ankle) have all been selected despite injuries they are carrying, which could prevent them from playing in the lead-in matches.
Their injuries gave opportunities to younger players in the T20s against the Proteas in South Africa, such as Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson and Aaron Hardie, and will again open the door for the emerging generation in the five-match one-day series beginning on Thursday night (AEST).
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But selectors have remained loyal to the older brigade for the 50-over World Cup, backing Cummins, Starc, Smith and Maxwell for their third consecutive ODI World Cup campaigns despite their injury troubles.
It remains to be seen if those four players will be fit for Australia’s three-match ODI series against India, or two warm-up games against the Netherlands and Pakistan.
“Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell are on track in their return-to-play programs,” said chairman of selectors George Bailey.
“All are well placed to come back online in the coming weeks and potentially for selection in the upcoming series against India.
“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’s provisional 15-man World Cup squad
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
