Former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh has unveiled his preferred playing XI for the highly-anticipated World Cup opener against India. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 is set to take place from October 5 to November 19, promising cricket fans around the globe a thrilling spectacle of ODI cricket.
Australia, a five-time world champion, is poised to commence its World Cup campaign on October 8. However, the team faces a formidable challenge right from the start, squaring off against hosts India, who are widely considered as one of the frontrunners for the coveted ODI World Cup.
The two cricketing giants are currently locked in a three-match ODI series, and the visiting Australian side finds itself on the brink of a historic whitewash in a bilateral ODI series against India. Aiming to regain their lost momentum, the Pat Cummins-led squad will be looking to make a strong statement in the third ODI ahead of the World Cup.
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Mark Waugh’s Australia XI for the World Cup opener: In light of Travis Head’s unavailability for the initial stages of the World Cup due to a fractured finger, Mark Waugh has proposed an Australia XI that features the versatile all-rounder Mitchell Marsh as the opening partner to David Warner. The former Australian great then slotted Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne into the batting order.
For the crucial number five position, Waugh opted for the dynamic all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, followed by wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey and another all-rounder, Marcus Stoinis. In the bowling department, Mark Waugh envisioned a pace-dominated attack, with three fast bowlers – Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, along with the leg-spin of Adam Zampa.
Mark Waugh’s preferred Australia XI:
- David Warner
- Mitchell Marsh
- Steve Smith
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Glenn Maxwell
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Marcus Stoinis
- Pat Cummins (c)
- Mitchell Starc
- Adam Zampa
- Josh Hazlewood
