Surprises galore as Australia name preliminary WC squad

Australia have announced some surprise selections in their 18-player squad for this year's ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India.

Uncapped leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and inexperienced all-rounder Aaron Hardie are the surprise selections, with Test star Marnus Labuschagne the notable omission from Australia's squad.

Labuschagne's World Cup dream has been shattered after being dropped from one-day side, while uncapped leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and WA allrounder Aaron Hardie have bolted into the mix for the tournament to be played in India later this year.

Cricket Australia named an extended 18-man squad today that will later be trimmed to 15, with a five-match series in South Africa in September the first assignment.

Pat Cummins was revealed to have a fractured wrist that will keep him sidelined for six weeks but will join the ODI squad in South Africa in preparation for a return to playing in India, where Australia have a three-game series in late September ahead of the World Cup.

Mitchell Starc is also recuperating from a shoulder injury picked up in the Ashes but has been cleared for the South Africa ODIs.

Selectors have not named a vice-captain for the ODI squad. 
Australia's ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c), 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.