Australia’s selectors have opted for Sean Abbott’s experience ahead of white-ball specialist Nathan Ellis in culling their World Cup squad from 18 to 15 for next month’s ODI tournament in India.
Ellis, young spinner Tanveer Sangha and all-rounder Aaron Hardie have been omitted after the selectors named their provisional squad which can be changed up until September 28.
Sangha impressed in his international debut when he bagged a four-wicket haul in a Twenty20 victory late last month over the Proteas.
Left-arm seamer Spencer Johnson, who is Mitchell Starc’s injury replacement for the imminent South Africa ODI series, has also been overlooked.
Australia will play five ODIs in South Africa, starting on Thursday, with three more in India as the final tune-up before their opening game against the host nation on October 8 in Chennai.
Selection panel chief George Bailey said Pat Cummins (fractured wrist), Steve Smith (wrist), Starc (groin) and Glenn Maxwell (ankle) “are on track in their return to play programs” after recent injuries.
“All are well placed to come back online in the coming weeks and potentially for selection in the upcoming series against India,” he said.
“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.”
>>> 2023 Cricket World Cup squads
With Cummins still sidelined, T20 skipper Mitchell Marsh will also captain the side in the ODI series against South Africa, starting in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
The majority of interest in the final make-up of Australia’s ODI side will be at the top of the order, with Marsh, Warner and Travis Head all available for the South Africa series.
The latter pair impressed at home last summer against England, but when Warner was injured in India it was Marsh and Head that starred at the top.
Marsh averaged 97 in that series and went at a strike-rate of 131.08, to the point that when Warner returned for the final game it was the veteran who was moved down the order.
Mitchell Marsh. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Despite that precedent, Marsh said he expected to give up the role for the World Cup.
“I expect to bat middle order,” Marsh told AAP, declaring Warner one of the format’s greatest of all time.
“Things may change, but Davey is literally one of the GOATs of one-day cricket and white-ball cricket in general.
“We have Travis Head and Australia’s best-ever all-three-format player there, so I dare say I probably won’t be opening the batting.”
While unconvincing in Test cricket in recent years, Warner has averaged close to 50 in ODIs since his return in 2019 after his ball-tampering ban.
Marsh is in fine form, having blitzed the T20 showdowns with South Africa with scores of 92no, 79no and 15 in his first series as captain.
It comes off the back of a big Ashes series, in which he plundered a run-a-ball 118 on his return to the team for the third Test at Headingley.
(Photo by Graham Denholm – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
“My approach now from Test cricket to T20 cricket won’t be too dissimilar,” Marsh said.
“Often it’s the situation of the game in Test cricket.
“There were times in Manchester where I couldn’t go out there and try and hit blokes for six and put pressure back on them. I just had to soap up deliveries.
“That is the intricacies of Test cricket. But generally my approach won’t change too much now.”
The squad can be changed up until September 28, after the ODI series against South Africa and India.
Australia’s provisional World Cup squad: Pat Cummins, 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.
with AAP
Michael Coote
Roar Rookie
Well Marnus has certainly thrown the cat amongst the Pigeons, but who do they drop? Warner is not going anywhere, he has been our most consistent White ball batsman over the last 12 months, you know actually scoring runs, not promising to do so sometime in the future, so get over it. Inglis has produced the breakthrough innings he needed, Maxwell brings too much to the game, Smith, Head and Marsh are certainties. I am actually beginning to like the look of Stoinis at 7 or 8, and with Green, Maxwell. Marsh and Head we can get away with only 3 frontline bowlers, especially when they are of the class we have.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
That team isn’t too far off but I wouldn’t play Warner - M Marsh at 4 is almost a waste. I think we are missing a finisher type player - someone like Turner or David. I’d have also gone Hardie ahead of Green. Head M Marsh Smith Inglis Green Stoinis Maxwell Agar Starc Zampa Hazelwood
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Excuses, excuses. You can't back it up Don, just post it
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You won't read it if you haven't read the rest.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
When? Not recently Let's see it
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I've done that a number of times. Pay attention.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
We beat India in India earlier this year with a similar side.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
I'm aware that Gilly was born in NSW, but as we both know he was playing Sheffield Shield for the sandgropers when he selected to play for Australia. Fully agree with the state bias on this site. It lowers the credibility of your posts when you are making judgement calls based on your post code.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Name your team Don. Casting stones but not providing solutions
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Agree MR but on point of fact Gilly was born in Bellingen (there is a particularly ugly statue in the main street) and played his formative years in NSW. Not that it matters because as you say, he’s an Aussie and we all supported him The state bias on this site (and in general) is a scourge. Dull and unhelpful
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
When is the next Test series? I'm limited in overs
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Agree with your thoughts on Stoin and Abbott. Both perform but so would others who have been left out...who are likely to perform better. That's the case with Davy too. He gets runs still but is quite scratchy where better options are cleaner and more fluent.
jammel
Roar Rookie
Yeah I'd prefer it if the had to name say 17 - and could make any changes! That would put the pressure on the selectors!
jammel
Roar Rookie
I'm not surprised by the squad really. A shame that Cummins is there - I'd have had Ellis myself. And I'd have had Turner or Hardie over the Stoin! I'm sure Abbott will play at least some matches. He seems to always get wickets - but I could see him going for plenty off 10 in India. Best XI = 1 warner 2 head 3 smith 4 mmarsh 5 green 6 maxwell (stoinis) 7 carey (inglis) 8 agar (abbott) 9 starc 10 hazlewood (cummins) 11 zampa
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I don't see us as a realistic chance with the side they have picked - requires Mitch Marsh and Head to fire a lot and I'm a bit concerned with the bowling attack. Hard to see us competing with England and India.
Michael Coote
Roar Rookie
Tim David? Pick a player for a 50 Over WC who's last 50 Over match was 22 months ago and is not a member of any State squad. We are trying to win a World Cup and are a realistic chance, now is not the time to drop one of our greatest ever ODI Batsman and start experimenting with an unproven player.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I’d keep Green fresh for test cricket - the guys Ashes was ruined by the fact he had no proper build up. Rather see him have a good run at Shield Cricket and build up to a big summer at Test level. Think we need to see more separation between Test players and limited overs players - it’s not really feasible to play all formats anymore. I think Warner is done in all formats - Marsh being promoted to opener and doing so well makes it an easy transition.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yep spot on couldn’t agree more.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Don't mind this squad too much. Reckon Matt Short should have been given a chance to prove he's up to it.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Cummins adds nothing to white ball cricket and Maxwell rarely performs these days. Meanwhile better players miss opportunities when they are in their prime.