World Cup 2023: Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head find place in Australia's final squad, Ashton Agar left out

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World Cup 2023: Australia have finalised their World Cup 2023 squad and named both Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head in it. Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, who was part of the provisional squad, has been left out.

Chief selector George Bailey said that injured Travis Head would only be available midway through the campaign. Notably, Travis Head suffered a hand fracture in the 5-match ODI series against South Africa earlier this month.

"We have made the decision to carry Travis through the early stages with the aim of him being available around the mid-part of the tournament," Bailey said.

"He has been a really important player in this ODI team and we are hopeful his return can provide a positive impetus as it gets to the business end of the tournament."

Agar was part of the 5-ODI series against South Africa. He scored match-winning 48 unbeaten runs and picked one wicket before missing the next two matches due to a calf injury and then returning back home to attend the birth of his first child. He missed the three match series in India as well.

"This was a tough call but unfortunately, we couldn't carry both Travis and Ashton into the tournament with the injuries they have," Bailey said.

Marnus Labuschange was named in the Australia ODI squad for the South Africa series after Steve Smith was ruled out due to a wrist injury. He wasn't named in the eleven for the first ODI but came in as a concussion substitute for Cameron Green and rescued Australia from 113/7 to a three-wicket victory by hitting unbeaten 80 runs in the 223-run chase.

He smashed a hundred in the next match and finished the series as the top-scorer )283 runs from five games at an average of 70.75). The right-hand batter's impressive run continued in India as he piled up 138 runs at an average of 46 from three matches.

Matt Short and Tanveer Sangha, who were part of the tour of India, will remain with the squad till the two warm-up matches. Australia begin their World Cup 2023 campaign against hosts India in Chennai on October 8.

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