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Smith, Warner to return in World Cup squad

3 minute read

Steve Smith and David Warner will both feature in Australia's World Cup squad when it is named on Monday, with the biggest questions surrounding the bowlers.

DAVID WARNER of Winnipeg Hawks runs to the boundary during a Global T20 Canada match against Montreal Tigers at MLC Club in King City, Canada.
DAVID WARNER of Winnipeg Hawks runs to the boundary during a Global T20 Canada match against Montreal Tigers at MLC Club in King City, Canada. Picture: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Steve Smith and David Warner's year-long exile from the Australian squad will end on Monday when they are re-contracted and named in the tour party to defend the World Cup title.

Smith and Warner are both set to feature in the 15-man squad for the England tournament, with coach Justin Langer facing bigger questions about his pace bowlers than his wider batting group.

It will mark the first time the pair have been selected since the Cape Town Test in March last year, where they copped the 12-month bans stemming over the ball-sandpapering saga.

They will also return to Cricket Australia's contracted players list, after the two biggest names were left off last year.

Paceman Pat Cummins is, however, likely to remain the highest paid player on the list, following the best 12 months of his career.

Australia's World Cup squad is arguably more clear cut than their best XI for their tournament opener against Afghanistan on June 1.

Their eight-match winning streak in India and the UAE has given Australia the blueprint with which to attack the tournament, after adopting a more conservative batting lineup midway through the summer.

Warner, Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja are all expected to be picked to play, despite uncertainty over which two will fill the opening role.

Peter Handscomb's spot in the XI is in doubt with former skipper Smith's return to the team, but he is likely to stay in the 15-man squad given he offers a back-up wicket-keeping option.

Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon will both be picked as spinning options, however whether Australia would follow rivals' leads by taking two spinners into most matches is questionable.

It is in the pace bowling department that Trevor Hohns and his panel could make the biggest calls.

Josh Hazlewood is believed to be confident he'll be fit for the start of the tournament on recovery from a back injury, but is no certainty to be selected with Nathan Coulter-Nile staking his claim.

Jhye Richardson is hoping to return from a dislocated shoulder after being Australia's breakthrough star of the summer with ball.

Mitchell Starc and Cummins are considered certainties, with the former on the mend from a pectoral injury.

Selectors will also unveil an Australia A squad for their tour of England, giving players not featuring in the World Cup a chance to push their Ashes causes.

Possible World Cup squad: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon.

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