Former Australian captain Steve Smith and David Warner, who had completed their ban for ball-tampering last month, will return to the Australian team for the 2019 World Cup. The defending champions took a firm decision to drop Peter Handscomb and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood from the 15-member squad announced on Monday.
David Warner currently leads the run scoring charts in the IPL, with orange cap with 400 runs, while Smith has 186 runs in 6 innings.
Leaving two-in-form players is the turning of Australia's recent one-day form and the depth of the talent of the panel is to choose both.
"Steve Smith and David Warner returned to the team. Cricket Australia Chairman Trevor Hones said on Monday, "Both are world class players and they look good in some good form in the IPL.
"Both Mitchell Starc and Richardson have been placed under fitness. He said that the CA medical team is advised that they are making good progress and will be available for selection on June 1 before our initial match against Afghanistan.
Handscomb has done little wrong with the bat since remembering one-day team in January, but the return of Smith and Warner meant that the batting line should always be stern.
Handscomb has an average of 43 in 13 matches this year, which includes a fantastic first ODI ton in India, and has scored from the strike rate of 98.
The ability to keep Victorian wickets was also predicted by some scholars to take the gloves ahead of Alex Kerry, but the South Australian has occupied their place and is the only glove driver in the team.
"Looking at the talent of the spot and the depth of the competition, we have to make many difficult calls to clear our squad of 15. Unfortunately, recently visited India and UAE, Peter Handscomb, Ashton Turner and Kate Richardson, Hohn informed that the path for the above mentioned involvement has been made, but these three were included in the Australia A team for England tour. has been done.
Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh have been rewarded for their recent selection, while Captain Aaron Finch will lead the batting order, including all-rounders Marcus Stonis and Glenn Maxwell.
Since January due to injury, Hezlewood was confident to be fully fit for Australia's cup opener against Afghanistan in Bristol on June 1. But with the Ashes series to follow the World Cup immediately, the selectors have instead selected Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Za Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorf as their five fast bowling options.
"Josh Hazlewood has also been nominated in the Australia A team. After not playing at the highest level for some time, we feel that this will give them the best preparation to get some quality cricket under their belt. Our focus is to bowl our best to start a major Ashes tour in Josh, "said Hanhaus about Hezlewood.
As expected, both spinner Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon have been selected.
Australia's World Cup squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Beckerdorf, Alex Kerry (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Za Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Markman Stonis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
