ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Pat Cummins-Led Australia Have Work To Do

Australia are desperate to have Travis Head in the World Cup squad. In seven matches this year, Head has scored 241 runs at 48.20. He has two fifties. Head's new role as an opener has benefitted the Aussies with his aggressive approach...

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The ICC Cricket World Cup is starting on October 5 and record champions Australia have work to do. Australia have dropped form at a time when it would bother them. After having earned a 2-0 lead in the 5-match series versus South Africa, the Aussies went on to be stunned by the hosts 3-2. One could say with many senior players missing it was one of a hit-and-miss but issues were obvious in the first ODI against India as Australia sunk in Mohali. Notably, senior figures like Pat Cummins and Steve Smith returned. However, in the second ODI on Sunday, the Aussies conceded 399 runs. Australia will need to work hard if they are to challenge India going into the global event. Australia have the personnel to do well in India and get that motivation factor back but against the big sides in pressure games, the Aussies could struggle for consistency. Australia need a settled XI and their likely side in place to find that depth and balance required. Somehow the balance is missing at the moment with too many options in the mix. Australia open their ICC Cricket World Cup campaign against India on October 8. With an ODI gone and three successive matches on offer, both sides will get plenty of ideas about their opposition. Here we decode Australia’s squad.

A LOOK AT AUSTRALIA’S 15-MEMBER ICC WORLD CUP SQUAD

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

AUSTRALIA SWEAT ON HEAD’S FITNESS