The Australian selection select a talented trio from the World Cup squad, with the star quartet on track to return from injury

Australia internationals have chosen Sean Abbott’s experience ahead of white ball specialist Nathan Ellis in picking their 18-15 World Cup squad for next month’s ODI tournament in India.

Ellis, young spinner Tanveer Sangha and all-rounder Aaron Hardie were left out after the national team named their provisional squad, which is subject to change until September 28.

Sangha impressed on his international debut, scoring a four-wicket win in a Twenty20 win over the Proteas late last month.

Left seaman Spencer Johnson, who is Mitchell Starc’s injury replacement for South Africa’s upcoming ODI series, was also overlooked.

Australia will play five ODIs in South Africa from Thursday, with three more in India as final preparations ahead of their opening game against the host country on October 8 in Chennai.

Selection Committee chief George Bailey said Pat Cummins (broken wrist), Steve Smith (wrist), Starc (groin) and Glenn Maxwell (ankle) are “on track to resume their programs” following recent injuries.

“Everyone is well positioned to come back online in the coming weeks and potentially be called up for the upcoming series against India,” he said.

“There are still eight one-day games to be played in South Africa and India before the final squad is announced. Two World Cup training games follow, which offer ample opportunity to continue building up for the tournament.”

>>> Squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup

With Cummins still sidelined, T20 captain Mitchell Marsh will also captain the side in the ODI series against South Africa, which begins in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

Most interest in the final composition of Australia’s ODI squad will be at the top of the list, with Marsh, Warner and Travis Head all available for the South Africa series.

The latter pair impressed at home against England last summer but when Warner was injured in India it was Marsh and Head who were at the helm.

Marsh averaged 97 that series and had a batting average of 131.08, so when Warner returned for the final game, the veteran was moved down the ladder.

Mitchell Marsh. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Despite this precedent, Marsh said he expects to give up the role for the World Championship.

“I expect he’s going to be in the middle class,” Marsh told AAP, calling Warner one of the best films of all time in the format.

“Things may change but Davey is literally one of the GOATs of one day cricket and white ball cricket in general.”

“We’ve got Travis Head there and Australia’s all-time best All-Three Format player, so I daresay I’m not likely to be a batsman.”

While Warner has failed to impress in Test cricket in recent years, he has averaged almost 50 on ODI since returning in 2019 following his ball-tampering ban.

Marsh is in fine form after winning T20 showdowns against South Africa on scores of 92, 79 and 15 in his first series as captain.

It’s the result of a great Ashes streak in which he hit a run-a-ball 118 on his return to the team for the third Test at Headingley.

(Photo by Graham Denholm – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

“My approach from Test cricket to T20 cricket won’t be too different,” Marsh said.

“Often it’s the game situation in Test cricket.

“There were times in Manchester when I couldn’t go out and try to beat the lads in a six and put them back under pressure. I just had to lather deliveries.

“Those are the finer points of Test cricket. But in general, my approach will not change too much now.”

The squad can be changed until September 28 after the ODI series against South Africa and India.

Australia’s provisional World Cup squad: Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

with AAP