Injured Pat Cummins to lead Australia in SA, India ODIs
What's the story
Cricket Australia have announced their preliminary 18-member squad for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup that will be trimmed to 15.
The same squad will feature in the ODI tours of South Africa and India. Pat Cummins has been named the captain.
He will miss the T20I leg of both tours. Mitchell Marsh will lead the Aussies in South Africa T20Is.
Here is more.
Cummins
Cummins to lead despite a wrist injury
Cummins suffered a wrist injury while fielding during the fifth Ashes 2023 Test.
The wound was expected to sideline him for six weeks.
However, he has been named the captain of the ODI side.
He is bound to lead the Aussies in the WC as well.
Meanwhile, Australia will play five ODIs in SA and three in India ahead of the WC.
Information
A look at Australia's ODI squad
Australian ODI squad: Pat Cummins (captain), 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.
Labuschgane
Labuschagne dropped, uncapped duo gets call-up
Marnus Labuschagne is a big omission from the ODI team as his recent numbers in the 50-over format have been underwhelming.
New South Wales leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and Western Australia all-rounder Aaron Hardie are the fresh inclusions.
Both youngsters are yet to play international cricket. Glenn Maxwell will miss SA ODIs due to paternity leave but will rejoin the squad for India ODIs.
Cummins
Cummins may miss the first ODI against South Africa
The SA ODI series gets underway on September 7 but given the timeframe of Cummins's injury, he is unlikely to play the opener.
While Steve Smith led the Aussies in the ODI series against India earlier this year, Josh Hazlewood handled the responsibility against England last year.
Hence, it would be interesting to see who would lead Australia if Cummins misses out.
Marsh
Marsh named Australia's T20I captain
Australia will play three T20Is in SA and five in India.
The Aussies are yet to name their permanent T20I skipper following Aaron Finch's international retirement earlier this year.
As Marsh has been named the side's captain for the T20I series against SA, he seems the front-runner to take the full-time role.
Notably, the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup will be played in June.
Bailey
Here is what George Bailey said
"Mitch has long been a senior player within the white ball structure, with this an opportunity for him to add to his leadership skills at international level," national selector George Bailey said.
"We look forward to him taking that step in South Africa."
Notably, the squad for the India T20I series is yet to be announced.
Rested
Senior players rested for SA T20Is
On expected lines, Australia have rested several prominent players for SA T20Is. Mitchell Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Cameron Green, and David Warner have been given a breather following the thrilling Ashes 2023.
Smith, who enjoyed a sensational Big Bash League 2022-23, has been included.
Ashton Agar will miss the T20I series due to a calf strain but will be available for the ODI series.
BBL
BBL stars given chances
Meanwhile, South Australia left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson has earned a maiden international call-up.
Uncapped all-rounders Aaron Hardie and Matt Short have also been named in the T20I squad.
These youngsters have made a significant mark in the BBL and would be raring to replicate their heroics at the highest level.
Veteran left-arm pacer Jason Behrendorff has also returned to the team.
Information
No place for Matthew Wade and Kane Richardson
Among those who featured in the 2022 T20 WC, Matthew Wade and Kane Richardson have faced the axe. Meanwhile, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Adam Zampa are the other prominent players in the T20I team besides Smith and Marsh.
Information
Australia T20 squad vs South Africa
Australia T20 squad vs South Africa: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa