- Marnus Labuschagne has been excluded from Australia’s preliminary squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
- Uncapped players Aaron Hardie and Tanveer Sangha have been included in the 18-member squad.
- Per ICC regulations, the squad will be trimmed to 15 by September 28.
- Despite a wrist injury, Pat Cummins will lead the team.
In a surprising development, Cricket Australia has excluded Marnus Labuschagne from their 18-member preliminary squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Despite playing over 30 ODIs since 2020, Labuschagne’s underwhelming performance, averaging 31.37 with a strike rate of 83.20, and weaker stats in Asia led to his omission.
The preliminary squad includes two uncapped players: Aaron Hardie, a 24-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder, and 21-year-old leg spinner Tanveer Sangha.
Hardie will compete with other seam-bowling all-rounders like Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, and Marcus Stoinis, while Sangha offers a potential additional spin option.
Australia has eight ODI games before their World Cup opener against India on October 8. The matches present an opportunity for Hardie and Sangha to demonstrate their abilities before the squad is trimmed to a final 15-member lineup by the ICC’s September 28 deadline.
Despite a recent wrist injury, regular captain Pat Cummins is expected to lead the team and be match-fit by the World Cup start.
