Just before the World Cup, Australia got a big blow as the stalwart bowler Pat Cummins is set to miss the World Cup with a back injury. Ben Dwarshuis has replaced him after having a great BBL season. Australia named their 15-member provisional squad on December 31, the team was composed of stars, but after this setback, the bowling will look a bit faded. Starc has retired from the T20Is and Pat Cummins' injury took the heat away from the pace line.
Though it is not the only change they have made, Matt Renshaw has got a call-up after having a great BBL run, replacing Matthew Short.
Changes and key takeaways
With Ben Dwarshuis and Matt Renshaw’s inclusion, the team is set to have some consistency as both of them are coming with the rhythm. However, Steve Smith has to face the cut despite playing a few good knocks.
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Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Ellis will be the face of the bowling but the heat will surely be missed. Cummins, who came back in cricket during the Ashes after going through a prolonged injury, had to miss the cut for not becoming fully fit for the challenge. Amid all this, Matt Renshaw’s inclusion in place of one of the Aussie regulars has caught the eye of the audience. Renshaw played 10 BBL matches and scored 324 runs with a strike rate of 324 runs. Going forward to the World Cup the Australian team may need a spin-friendly batter and that’s where Renshaw won the race.
Updated team
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
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They will play their first World Cup on February 8 against Afghanistan.
