Opinion
The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup is not far away and Australia will be chasing hard for their sixth crown in the 13th edition of the tournament.
Provided Australia directly qualify for the tournament through the ICC ODI Super League, I will be looking at which players make up Australia’s 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup squad.
First up, the batters.
Batters – Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Ben McDermott, Sam Heazlett, Jake Weatherald
Since the beginning of 2020, Aaron Finch has averaged over 45 in ODI cricket and one bad series should not get the Aussie skipper dropped from the ODI team. David Warner and Steve Smith are automatic locks.
(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
The number four spot has not been locked in yet, which makes for an interesting three-man battle between Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and Ben McDermott. However, Head’s exploits versus Pakistan may see the South Australian pip his counterparts now.
Sam Heazlett and Jake Weatherald have had successful List A careers thus far and both left handlers provide good depth as back-up openers.
All-rounders – Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Daniel Sams
With the success of WA in List A cricket over the past few years, it should not be a surprise for this list to be predominantly filled with WA all-rounders.
Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell are most likely to take the number five and number seven spots. Marcus Stoinis and Cam Green are seen more as batters who can chip in with a few overs of seam bowling, thus they will more likely be seen as batting at five or six.
Ashton Agar is likely to make the World Cup squad as Indian conditions do require two spinners. Daniel Sams has had success for NSW in List A cricket, and has shown that he can give the ball a whack down the order.
Wicketkeepers – Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Josh Philippe
It is a short list of keepers who are all capable of playing the finisher’s role for Australia.
(Christopher Lee-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)
Alex Carey’s successful ODI career down the order will see him be the first choice while WA duo Josh Inglis and Josh Philippe will ensure Carey does not become complacent for the keeper’s spot.
Seamers – Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis, Riley Meredith, Matt Kelly
Unsurprisingly, Australia once again head into a World Cup with quality seam-bowling options.
The trio of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood should be Australia’s front-line seam attack, while Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff will make up the seam attack squad for the World Cup.
Alongside this quintet, Nathan Ellis, Ben Dwarshuis, Riley Meredith and Matt Kelly have had success at List A level and will be on standby should one of the seamers miss out on the World Cup due to injury.
Spinners – Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann, Tanveer Sangha
Adam Zampa has improved immensely in the 50-over format as a wrist spinner and is Australia’s first-choice white-ball spinner.
His NSW teammate Nathan Lyon will be in contention as there are not many conventional off spinners in Australia who have done well in List A cricket so far.
Matt Kuhnemann is a wicket taker at List A level, despite having an economy of 5.85. Although Tanveer Sangha has played only three List A games to date, the leg spinner from NSW has shown incredible control with an economy below 3.5. He is not a bad back-up to have for Zampa.
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