Steve Smith, Pat Cummins return as Australia name 18-men squad for India ODI tour ahead of CWC 2023

Steve Smith and Pat Cummins are included in Australia's squad for India ODI tour.

Australia have announced their travelling 18-members squad for the 3-match ODI series against India. Australia’s tour of India will begin on September 22 at PCA Stadium in Mohali. Pat Cummins is back and fit to lead Australian squad after recovering from a wrist injury. Travis Head’s World Cup campaign looks bleak as he has suffered a fracture on his left-hand. Head was injured during the 4th One-Day International against South Africa when he was hit by one of Gerals Coetzee’s short balls. Head’s World Cup chances look grim as the timeline for recovery is expected to be longer.

Australia have given uncapped Matt Short and Spencer Johnson an opportunity before they make a change in their preliminary World Cup squad. They can announce their final squad for the upcoming mega event before September 28th. Australia and India will play their final ODI in the series on September 27 at Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. Along with Matt Short and Spencer Johnson, Australia have also included Marnus Labuschagne, Tanveer Sangha, and Nathan Ellis in their squad. All these players are not part of Australia’s preliminary World Cup squad.

Maxwell Smith back, Agar on leave

Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, and Mitchell Starc have all recovered from their injuries and look set to take on India and get some match practice before moving into the World Cup event. Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar will not be part of Australian squad as he will accompany his family for the birth of his child. After a chain of injuries in the camp, Australia’s only problem remains with Travis Head before they head to India. Head’s recovery time is likely to be longer, and that might force Australia to look for other options than him for the World Cup.

Marnus Labuschagne is part of the camp in South Africa as well, and he got an opportunity to take on Indian bowlers. Labuschagne was called in as a replacement player after missing out on the World Cup preliminary squad and South Africa tour. Later on, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and Head’s injury opened the door for him once again to represent Australia in the 2023 World Cup. Australia will be playing their opening World Cup game against India at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on October 8.

Australia's squad for the ODI series against India 

Pat Cummins (C), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa