Labuschagne replaces Agar as Australia confirm ICC World Cup 2023 squad

Right-arm batter Marnus Labuschagne replaced Ashton Agar in Australia’s final squad for the ICC World Cup 2023, commencing on October 5.

According to the details, Agar failed to recover from a calf injury, which kept him out of the T20I series against South Africa.

His last appearance for Australia, however, came earlier this month when he featured in the five-match ODI series against South Africa.

Consequently, Marnus Labuschagne, who was initially left out of Australia’s squad, replaced Ashton Agar for the ICC World Cup 2023.

Agar’s exclusion meant Australia will enter the mega event with just one specialist spinner Adam Zampa while veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, would likely be given a role to strengthen their spin bowling department.

Australia finalized their squad on Thursday for the ICC World Cup 2023, delaying this alteration until the very last minute.

For the unversed, all the 10 participating teams were bound to submit their final squad to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by September 28 and any tweaks to that after the cut-off date needed approval from the apex cricket body.

Meanwhile, Australia named injured Travis Head in their final ICC World Cup 2023 squad, who is anticipated to make a mid-tournament return.

Head fractured his hand during Australia’s 164-run thrashing at the hands of South Africa in the fourth ODI of the recently-held five-match series.

The five-time champions Australia will take on Netherlands on September 30 and Pakistan on October 3 in their warm-up fixtures before starting their World Cup campaign against hosts India on October 8 in Chennai.

Australia’s squad for the ICC World Cup 2023: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.

READ: Pakistan squad starts training in India ahead of ICC World Cup 2023