Cricket Australia has announced the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 to be held in England and Wales. As expected, Steve Smith and David Warner are back and will make their international comebacks after being suspended for a year.

To accommodate the duo, the selectors had to make some tough calls. Peter Handscomb showed great form in the recent tours of India and UAE. But he didn’t find a place in the squad. Ashton Turner and Kane Richardson are the others who miss out.

Josh Hazlewood was a prominent member of Australia’s ODI side until last year. But the pacer got injured in January. He was hoping to recover in time for the World Cup. However, keeping the Ashes, that follows the World Cup, in mind, Hazlewood has been rested. He has been included as the vice-captain of Australia A that will play 5 ODIs in England against County sides in June.

“Steve Smith and David Warner come back into the squad. Both are world class players and it has been pleasing to see them produce some good form in the IPL,” Chairman of Selectors, Trevor Hohns, said.

“Given the depth of talent and competition for spots there were a number of tough calls we had to make to settle on our squad of 15. Unfortunately, from the recent squad which toured India and the UAE, Peter Handscomb, Ashton Turner and Kane Richardson have made way for the above inclusions, but all three have been included in the Australia A squad for the tour of England.

“Josh Hazlewood has also been named in the Australia A squad. Having not played at the highest level for some time, we feel this will provide him with the best preparation to get some quality cricket under his belt. Our focus is to have Josh back bowling at his best for the commencement of a big Ashes Tour,” Hohns added.

As far as the pace department is concerned, Australia will have the services of Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson and Mitchell Starc. Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa are the two specialist spinners.

“Mitchell Starc and Jhye Richardson have both been named subject to fitness. The advice from the CA medical team is they are progressing well and barring any setbacks will be available for selection ahead of our opening match against Afghanistan on June 1,” added Hohns.

Australia’s squad for the World Cup

Australian National Cricket Team is all set to play ICC World Cup 2019 with 6 Batsman, 2 Allrounder, 7 Bowlers. Here is the Team Australia’s 15-man squad for the CWC:

Australia’s Schedule for Cricket World Cup 2019

The defending champions will start their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on June 1 at Bristol.

Australia’s Schedule for CWC 2019 Date Match Venue Time Jun 01, Sat Afghanistan vs Australia, Match 4 County Ground, Bristol 6:00 PM

01:30 PM LOCAL / 12:30 PM GMT Jun 06, Thu Australia vs Windies, Match 10 Trent Bridge, Nottingham 3:00 PM

10:30 AM LOCAL/ 09:30 AM GMT Jun 09, Sun India vs Australia, Match 14 Kennington Oval, London 3:00 PM

10:30 AM LOCAL/ 09:30 AM GMT Jun 12, Wed Australia vs Pakistan, Match 17 The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton 3:00 PM

10:30 AM LOCAL/ 09:30 AM GMT Jun 15, Sat Sri Lanka vs Australia, Match 20 Kennington Oval, London 3:00 PM

10:30 AM LOCAL/ 09:30 AM GMT Jun 20, Thu Australia vs Bangladesh, Match 26 Trent Bridge, Nottingham 3:00 PM

10:30 AM LOCAL/ 09:30 AM GMT Jun 25, Tue England vs Australia, Match 32 Lord’s, London 3:00 PM

10:30 AM LOCAL/ 09:30 AM GMT Jun 29, Sat New Zealand vs Australia, Match 37 Lord’s, London 6:00 PM

01:30 PM LOCAL / 12:30 PM GMT Jul 06, Sat Australia vs South Africa, Match 45 Old Trafford, Manchester 6:00 PM

01:30 PM LOCAL / 12:30 PM GMT

Also Read: Who will win the ODI World Cup 2019? Here are the top 5 contenders

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