Pat Cummins’s team was jolted by two injury blows ahead of the World Cup, leading to forced changes in the squad. Travis Head sustained a hand injury during the fourth ODI of the South Africa tour. There is no confirmed update on his recovery status, but Australia have selected him. He has been instrumental in providing them with quickfire starts with the bat.

However, they have not picked all-rounder Agar, the closest Australia had to a second spinner alongside Adam Zampa: Agar injured his calf. Since the selectors did not opt for a second spinner, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and, when fit, Head will have to chip in. In the third ODI against India, Maxwell returned 4-40 on comeback; his wickets included Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer.

Labuschagne was the last-minute inclusion in the squad following a rich vein of form in the past month, since stepping in as concussion substitute for Cam Green: he amassed 421 runs at 60.14 and a strike rate of 98 across eight matches in South Africa and India.

Australia have strong batting and bowling units, but their strength lies in their long list of all-rounders – Mitchell Marsh, Cam Green, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, even Sean Abbott – that adds depth to both departments.

In addition, several of their batters bowl, while both Cummins and Mitchell Starc are reasonable with the bat.

Australia begin their World Cup campaign against India on October 8.

Australia World Cup 2023 squad:

Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.