Australia down to 9 players ahead of T20 World Cup 2024, check who will fill in remaining spots

With the latest edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 coming to an end, the focus is on the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 which is set to be held in the United States and West Indies from June 2. Ahead of the mega tournament, teams will compete across 16 warm-up games. However, Australia is in sort of a weird situation as they currently only have 9 available players for practice matches, and 6 of their players have been provided with rest and family time at home ahead of the marquee event.

Why Aussies only have 9 available players?

Some of the Australian players were busy in the later stages of IPL. Mitchell Starc, Travis Head, and Pat Cummins competed in the IPL 2024 Final. Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell were part of RCB's run to playoffs. All five of them would be joining the Australian team in the West Indies later. Marcus Stoinis is also currently home enjoying a break ahead of the big assignment. Captain Mitchell Marsh has backed his teammates having a break as they have been playing a lot of cricket.

"It's important to be flexible. Guys have been at the IPL. They've been playing a lot of cricket so we've prioritized giving them a couple of days at home, see their family, refresh and play the long game for this tournament. We'll get to our 15 eventually but it's really important that we give them a break, even if it's [just] a couple of days at home," Marsh told cricket.com.au.

 

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In this case, there's a chance that the Australian coaching staff members like Brad Hodge can be seen fielding. Daniel Vettori who is the assistant coach can not take part as he was not an Australian player. Australia will face Namibia in their first warm-up game on May 28 and then West Indies on 30 May.

 

Mitchell Marsh on his hamstring injury

 

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh is currently recovering from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the IPL. He is currently only available in the batting role.

 

"I'm just ticking off the last few things I need to tick off to be fit and available. All went well today. It's been progressively slow but finally getting there now and looking forward to getting stuck into the tournament," said Marsh

 

"Initially we thought it was a three-weeker but with tendons they can take a little bit longer and you sort of have to go on feel. Once I was ruled out of the IPL we've certainly taken our time to get it right and I feel lucky I've had that bit of extra time, a little bit of time at home to refresh and like all the others who have arrived today I'm raring to go," he added.

 

Australia T20 World Cup 2024 squad
 

Mitchell Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
 

Reserves: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Short

 

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