Australia is set to welcome back several critical players, including their captain, Pat Cummins, as they prepare for the three-match ODI series against India.

During the white-ball tour of South Africa, Australia missed the services of many regular players who were recovering from injuries sustained during the demanding Ashes series and beyond. This included Cummins and Steve Smith, who were rehabilitating wrist injuries, as well as Mitchell Starc, who dealt with soreness in his groin and shoulder following his return from the UK.

Another significant addition to the squad is Glenn Maxwell, who had to leave the South Africa tour due to an aggravated ankle injury sustained in training ahead of the T20I series. However, he is now fit and ready to join the India tour.

Cameron Green faced a concussion setback during the South Africa tour, missing three ODIs after the first game. He successfully followed an eight-day concussion protocol and returned for the final ODI against South Africa. Green is now set to feature against India.

• Pat Cummins (c)
• Sean Abbott
• Alex Carey
• Nathan Ellis
• Cameron Green
• Josh Hazlewood
• Josh Inglis
• Spencer Johnson
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Mitchell Marsh
• Glenn Maxwell
• Tanveer Sangha
• Matt Short
• Steve Smith
• Mitchell Starc
• Marcus Stoinis
• David Warner
• Adam Zampa

Among the notable omissions from the squad are Travis Head and Ashton Agar. Agar had sustained a minor calf tear before the South Africa tour, missing the T20I leg and being left out of the playing XI for the ODIs due to soreness. Head is facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup after fracturing his hand during the fourth ODI against South Africa.

Australian star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has revealed that he might opt to skip his team’s upcoming ODI series against India and potentially enter the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup with limited match practice. Maxwell continues to grapple with ankle soreness stemming from a leg injury sustained at a friend’s birthday party last year and is currently in Australia, anticipating the arrival of his first child. While Maxwell still has hopes of making a brief appearance in Australia’s ODI series in India later this month, his primary focus remains on ensuring his fitness for the World Cup.

“I still want to play some part in that India series, but I don’t feel pressured to rush it. The selectors and staff have been extremely supportive. They are not keen on pressuring me to set a specific date because they understand that we have some extra time before the World Cup. Instead of rushing my recovery and potentially setting myself back by a week or two, I can afford to take more time and ensure that I’m fully prepared for the entire tournament,” explained Maxwell.

As a veteran of Australia’s last two World Cup campaigns in 2015 and 2019, Maxwell plays a pivotal role for the five-time champions due to his ability to score quickly and contribute with both bat and ball, as well as in the field.