New Delhi: Cricket Australia on Monday announced its national squad for the ICC Men’s World Cup. Returning after a span of one year, Steve Smith and David Warner found their place but some star players were overlooked and missed out on their chance to grab the ticket to England.
Since winning a recall in January, the wicket-keeper batsman has been forced out of the squad with the addition of Smith and Warner. The 27-year-old averaged 43 in 13 ODIs this year, including a maiden ton.
Handscomb’s ability to keep the wickets did suggest he could be the gloveman or a backup at the World Cup. The selectors opted against having him back from his back injury and said that they would unleash Hazlewood in the Ashes later this year.
The 28-year-old has not played in the recent India and Pakistan series after picking up the injury, paving way for the likes of Pat Cummins and Jhye Richardson. Also, when it comes to white-ball cricket, it is impossible to ignore Mitchell Starc so the panel had to make a hard call.
In spite helping Australia to one of its memorable victory, Turner could not find a spot for himself. His unbeaten 84 against India is regarded as one of the great performances by an Australian this year. However, given the depth in batting, the 26-year-old missed out on a maiden campaign.
Just like Hazlewood, Richardson is also a victim of the depth in fast-bowling unit. The 28-year-old, considered as a death-bowling specialist, could have earned a call-up but selectors had to leave him for Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorff.
Short as a batsman won consecutive player of the tournament awards in the Big Bash League and also impressive during Australia Domestic One-Day Cup but the performances were not sufficient to win him a spot in the squad.
The 28-year-old, who debuted in England last year, had a poor outing before he was dropped during the series against India and Pakistan. Short tried his best to earn his place but selectors overlooked him.
The World Cup will take place in England and Wales from May 30 to July 14. Australia will play against England and Sri Lanka in the warm-ups before opening its World Cup title defence against Afghanistan at the Bristol County Ground on June 1.
Following is the 15-member squad: Aaron Finch (c) , Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (vc), Pat Cummins (vc), Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa.
