Australia receive World Cup boost as skipper Pat Cummins aims to be fit for India series in September

Australia receive boost in their preparations for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023 as captain Pat Cummins on Tuesday (August 15) revealed he is aiming to return to international cricket during his side's three-match ODI series against India in late September.

Cummins, who fractured his wrist during the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval (July 27-31), has been advised rest for six weeks. The pacer was expected to return for the tour to South Africa, but he is set to miss five-match ODI series against South Africa between September 7 and 17.

However, the pacer, who is still set to travel to South Africa to continue his rehabilitation from the wrist injury, has said he is hopeful to be involved when Australia play a three-match ODI series against India on September 22, 24 and 27.

"I'll head over to South Africa at the back-end of that leg. But we're probably looking more at those one-dayers (against India) ahead of the World Cup. It shouldn't be too bad. Another few weeks and it'll be right," said Cummins.

This comes as a boost to Australia in their preparations for the World Cup to be held in India from October 5 and November 19. However, Cummins said he would probably assess his role as ODI captain after the World Cup.

"The captaincy for the ODIs, we've kind of shared around a little bit. We'll get over there, and have a look at that," added Cummins, who backed all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to take over the role.

Marsh has been appointed as Australia's T20I captain for the T20I series in South Africa, and Cummins feels the all-rounder is the logical choice to succeed him in the role of the ODI leader.

"The good thing is we have a few options. (Mitchell Marsh) is probably the most obvious one if he's doing the T20s as well. Off the field, he's just a great people-person. His energy's infectious, he's great to hang around with, always good fun," Cummins said.

Cummins had taken over as Australia's 50-over format captain last year from Aaron Finch but since then he had led only in two of the six ODIs they played.

He missed one match against England as Josh Hazlewood stepped in. Steve Smith led Australia in a three-match ODI series against India earlier this year as Cummins returned home following the death of his mother.

With Cummins likely to sit out in South Africa as well, either Smith, Hazlewood or Marsh are likely to lead the Australian side in the five-match ODI series, scheduled to be held from September 7 to September 17.

Australia was the first team to name their preliminary squad for the World Cup as they announced 18-member squad. The same 18-member squad will play in South Africa and India before being trimmed down to 15 for the show-piece tournament.

Australia's preliminary World Cup squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

(With PTI inputs)