Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Mitchell Starc—all injured—were nominated by Australia on Wednesday as part of a preliminary 15-man roster for the 50-over cricket World Cup in India next month.
Australia’s debut match against the hosts, in Chennai on October 8, puts them in a race to be fit.
By September 28, Australia’s final 15-player roster must be verified by the ICC.
The four are recuperating nicely, according to Australia’s senior selector George Bailey, and they may play in three ODI practice matches against India later this month.
Bailey said, “Everyone is in a good position to return online in the upcoming weeks and possibly be selected for the upcoming series against India.”
While Smith (wrist injury), Maxwell (ankle), and Starc (groin) are all out of the current ODI series in South Africa, Cummins is recuperating from a broken hand.
Australian squad: Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head,