‘Inka squad announce bhi hogaya’- Fans react as Australia announce preliminary squad for ODI World Cup 2023

Five times World Cup champions Australia have named their preliminary squad for the ODI World Cup later this year. Their star batter Marnus Labuschagne has been snubbed off from the 18-men preliminary squad for the showpiece event as well as for the ODI series against South Africa and India in the build-up for the mega event. Pat Cummins will lead the Aussies in white-ball cricket as well.

Australia has eight more One-Day Internationals to play before the major event. In September, they will go to South Africa to play Temba Bavuma’s side in a five-match One-Day International series. The first One-Day International (ODI) will be played on September 7 at Bloemfontein. Following the fifth and final one-day international, Australia will go to India for a three-match one-day international series.

Marnus Labuschagne’s form led to his dismissal 

Labuschagne has not been able to replicate his Test success in ODIs, which may be one of the key reasons why the Australians have lost faith in him. Labuschagne averages slightly over 31 in 30 ODIs, with six half-centuries and a century. The five-time World Cup champions have also included two uncapped players in all-rounder Aaron Hardie and wrist-spinner Tanvir Sangha. Nathan Ellis and Cameron Green are also mentioned, most likely due to their success in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Former Australia captain and current chief selector George Bailey is happy with the balance of the squad and feels it has what it takes to win their sixth World Cup crown. On this, he stated, “This side has been extremely impressive for several years in limited-overs cricket. There is an enormous amount of skill and experience in the group, which you need in a World Cup.” Australia’s World Cup campaign kicks off on October 8 against hosts India in Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Australia’s preliminary squad for World Cup 2023: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Here’s how fans reacted: