Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell were all included in Australia’s 15-member provisional squad despite injuries, while seamer all-rounder Sean Abbott earned his maiden World Cup call-up.
Cummins and Smith are nursing wrist injuries they had picked up during the Ashes, while Starc and Maxwell are out with a groin problem and an ankle issue, respectively. Of the quartet, only Cummins is in the ODI squad for the South Africa series beginning onThursday. However, his participation in the series is also doubtful.
All four are in a race against time to get fit for the showpiece event, staring in India on October 5.
“All are well placed to return in the coming weeks and potentially for selection in the upcoming (ODI) series against India,” selection chief George Bailey said.
“There are eight one-day matches still to play in South Africa and India before the final squad is due to be declared. They are followed by two World Cup practice games, which offers plenty of opportunity to continue the build-up for the tournament,” Bailey added.
The 31-year-old Abbott trumped fellow quick Nathan Ellis for a spot in the squad, while Aaron Hardie and leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha also failed to make the cut.
All-rounders are of huge importance in limited-overs cricket and Australia have preferred to go with multi-talented players. Apart from Abbott, the five-time champions have also picked Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis as the seam bowling all-rounders.
Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar are the two specialist spinners picked while Josh Inglis has been included as the back-up wicketkeeper.
Changes to the 15-player squad can be made until September 28.