ICC World Cup 2023 Australia Squad

Australia, the most successful team in the history of the Cricket World Cup with five championships to their name, appears to be a formidable unit once again as they gear up for the upcoming edition of the tournament. Fast bowler Pat Cummins has been entrusted with the captaincy duties for the 15-man squad. The team has received a significant boost with the return of several key players, including the skipper himself, former captain Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and the leader of the pace attack, Mitchell Starc. All of them had been sidelined due to injuries but made their comebacks in the three-match ODI series against India.

However, the Australian side faced a challenging period leading up to the World Cup, losing five consecutive ODI games. They dropped the five-match series against South Africa after winning the first two games, and then suffered defeats in the first couple of ODIs against India before clinching a victory in the final match with a full-strength lineup. On a couple of occasions, the Aussies were tasked with chasing totals equal to or exceeding 400, highlighting their bowling vulnerabilities. The lack of a reliable spin option might also be a concern, especially considering that spinners tend to excel in subcontinent conditions.

Australia World Cup Squad

1.    Pat Cummins (c)
2.    Sean Abbott
3.    Alex Carey
4.    Cameron Green
5.    Josh Hazlewood
6.    Travis Head
7.    Josh Inglis
8.    Marnus Labuschagne
9.    Mitchell Marsh
10.    Glenn Maxwell
11.    Steve Smith
12.    Mitchell Starc
13.    Marcus Stoinis
14.    David Warner
15.    Adam Zampa

A Light Middle Order

The batting unit appears to be strong, with David Warner and Mitchell Marsh forming a formidable opening combination. Since October 2022, these openers have collectively amassed 973 runs at an impressive average of 74.84, featuring four century-plus partnerships and three half-century stands. Warner, in particular, has been the team's highest run-scorer since January 2022, amassing 942 runs at an average of 42.81 in 22 innings. During this same period, the top three batsmen have contributed 3131 runs at an average of 40.7.

Middle Order Batting in ODIs since 2022

However, the middle order appears to be somewhat lacking, having scored 2586 runs at an average of 28.4, a figure better only than Afghanistan in this stage. The number 4 position will be filled by Marnus Labuschagne, who replaced Ashton Agar from the initially announced squad. Australia's number 4 batsmen since 2022 have managed to accumulate 733 runs at an average of 29.3, the lowest among all teams in the World Cup. Labuschagne, in contrast, has scored 630 runs in 19 innings at that position, with a century and four half-centuries, and could potentially resolve the team's middle-order woes in the World Cup.

Australia boasts the highest strike rate of 97.9 in the opening 10 overs among all the teams participating in the World Cup (since 2022). However, this rate decreases to 94 due to the lack of consistent partnerships. A full-strength playing XI might help address this issue. Furthermore, their strike rate of 130 in the death overs is the fifth-best in the world, indicating their ability to accelerate and finish strongly.

Pace-Heavy All-Rounders

The squad boast five all-rounders, with Glenn Maxwell being the sole spin-bowling option. In a pinch, the team might also rely on Steve Smith and/or Labuschagne for spin, but it's worth noting that Smith hasn't bowled in an ODI since 2020. Maxwell, who recently made his comeback against India, put up a stellar performance, achieving his career-best figures of 4/40. This performance took his wicket tally to 13 since January 2022 in as many matches.

The other all-rounders in the squad include Marsh, who occupies a prime spot in the batting order, Marcus Stoinis, who can adapt to various roles, bowls in the middle overs, and Cameron Green, one of the three Australian bowlers to have taken a five-wicket haul since 2022. Green might prove to be a valuable replacement option if the team decides to rest a fast bowler during the tournament.

With Marsh expected to feature in almost every game at the top of the order, there's limited room for another fast bowler in the lineup, considering the three lead pacers are likely to retain their positions. Sean Abbott could play a similar role in the lineup. The selection between Abbott and Green might hinge on the prevailing conditions, with the latter enjoying a slight advantage with his batting prowess.