(UTV|COLOMBO) – Steve Smith and David Warner have returned to Australia’s ODI squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in England and Wales.
Former captain Smith and Warner have not played international cricket since their ban following a ball-tampering incident in Cape Town in March 2018.
Though Australia has played ODIs since their ban ended, the duo was absent playing in the Indian Premier League.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was not selected in the squad, as he continues to work his way back to fitness having picked up a back stress fracture in the Test series against India in January.
Australia has named two spinners in the squad in Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon alongside a five-strong pace arsenal of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Jason Behrendorff, Jhye Richardson and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis make up the all-rounders and Alex Carey is in as the lone wicket-keeper, while Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja and captain Aaron Finch complete the 15.
Khawaja and Finch have formed a formidable opening partnership in Warner’s absence, with the latter averaging 112.75 with two half-centuries and two tons in the recently concluded five-match ODI series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Peter Handscomb was omitted despite having played each game in both of Australia’s recent series against India and Pakistan, and 26-year old all-rounder Ashton Turner has also missed out on squad selection having made his debut in March. (NR)
[alert color=”faebcc” icon=”fa-commenting”]Keeping up to date with breaking news while you are on the move is now simple with UTV Alerts [textmarker color=”8a6d3b”]Type REG UTV and send to 77000[/textmarker] on your Dialog, Airtel, or Hutch mobile connection[/alert]
