Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell have all been named in Australia’s 15-man provisional squad for next month’s Cricket World Cup despite injury clouds hanging over the key quartet.
All four are sitting out the current limited overs tour of South Africa as they race to regain fitness ahead of the tournament in India, which starts on 5 October.
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Captain Cummins is recovering from a fractured hand sustained in the recent Ashes series in England, while Smith (wrist), Maxwell (ankle) and Starc (groin) are also under injury clouds.
A final squad for the 50-over tournament has to be locked in with the ICC by 28 September, with the four players unlikely to feature in the five one-day internationals against the Proteas which start on Thursday.
The chair of selectors, George Bailey, said there was a chance, however, of playing in the subsequent three-match ODI series against India beginning on 22 September.
“Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell are on track in their return to play programs. All are well-placed to come back online in the coming weeks and potentially for selection in the upcoming series against India.”
With the inclusion of the senior players, the squad retains a settled feel, with no room for those who have been given a chance to impress in the recent 20-over series in South Africa. Tanveer Sangha in particular enjoyed a dream debut in the opening T20 international with figures of 4-31.
Quick Nathan Ellis and allrounder Aaron Hardie, who also made his international debut last week, were the others to drop out of an initial 18-man World Cup squad named last month.
Bailey indicated the door was not yet closed with plenty of cricket to be played before the ICC’s squad deadline.
“There are eight one-day matches still to play in South Africa and India before the final squad is due to be declared,” he said. “They are followed by two World Cup practice games, which offers plenty of opportunity to continue the build for the tournament.”
Provisional Australian World Cup squad: Pat Cummins (captain), 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.
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