International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the finalised 15-member squads for the much-awaited World Test Championship final between India and Australia at the Oval starting June 7. On May 28, the 15-member squads were submitted by both sides. Australia had to trim their 17-member squad and announce their two standby players.
Hazlewood stays despite fitness concerns
Veteran Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has retained his place in the squad while there were reports that he may get replaced by Michael Neser. Hazlewood has little over a week to regain full fitness for the mega encounter. If Australia need to make changes in their 15-player squad on the basis of players fitness or other reasons, the request will be approved by the ICC technical committee.
Two standby players finalised
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh and top-order batter Matt Renshaw are two standby players. On the other hand, Neser and Sean Abbott who are currently playing in the T20 Blast 2023 will also be with the team for preparations in London next month. On the other hand, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis and spinner Todd Murphy have been included in the 15-member squad.
No change in India's 15-member squad
Meanwhile, there were no changes in India’s 15-member squad despite fitness concerns around pacers Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat. The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Unadkat injured his shoulder as he tripped on a rope during practice session earlier this month.
There was only one change in the Indian contingent. Yashasvi Jaiswal replaced Ruturaj Gaikwad as a standby player. Jaiswal performed well in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 for Rajasthan Royals. The left-handed opener has also delivered in the domestic circuit.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner
Standby players: Mitch Marsh, Matthew Renshaw
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wk)
Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav
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