The ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is all set to kickstart with zest & peps. And ahead of the beginning of the marquee event, the teams have announced their squad for ODI World Cup 2023 which is all set to be played from October 5 in India. However, most of the teams are in tense situations as their key players are set to miss the ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury.
Whether it’s Rishabh Pant or Naseem Shah all the participating nations are struggling with their key players out due to injuries. Teams are trying to find out right replacements for their injured players while some are waiting to get final updates from their medical staff about injured players before naming their final squads. As per the ICC rules, all the teams have to name their final squad by September 28. And any changes to the squad after that will need prior approval from the ICC.
Teams are hoping that their key players recover on time before the marquee event. While some are hoping that they can get like-for-like replacements for the players who couldn’t make it to the ODI World Cup 2023 on time. Amidst all the chaos let’s have a look at the players who are set to miss ODI World Cup due to injury.
Players ruled out of the ODI World Cup 2023 due to Injury:
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Travis Head (Australia)
There comes a major blow for the Australian clan as their key member of the squad, Travis Head has joined the list of players who will miss the ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury. He was participating in the South Africa limited overs series where he sustained an injury in the fourth ODI in Centurion.
Geral Coetzee’s fast-paced short ball hit Travis Head’s left hand & the batter was in immense pain though he tried to bat through the pain, he had to retire hurt. The gutted batter tried to bat through the pain but couldn’t do the task & had to walk off the field getting retired hurt. Later, the Aussies Head Coach confirmed that Travis Head had suffered a fracture in their left hand and further scans will be needed to analyze the severity of his injury. Further scans revealed the severity of Head’s injury ruling him out of ODI World Cup 2023.
2. Anrich Nortje & Sisanda Magala (South Africa):
When Players to miss the ODI World Cup due to injury are talked about Anrich Nortje is the latest to join the list. South Africa had high hopes for Anrich Nortje, renowned for his fiery pace. Nortje’s ability to exploit conditions in India gained from his IPL experience, made him a valuable asset. Alongside him, Sisanda Magala’s knack for delivering crucial performances in the death overs was set to be an advantage. However, both will be absent, leaving the Proteas with a weakened bowling attack.
3) Tim Southee (New Zealand):
New Zealand’s dependable new-ball bowler, Tim Southee is another on the list of players to miss the ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury. Southee was expected to play a pivotal role in the World Cup. Unfortunately, he dislocated his right thumb during a fielding attempt in an ODI against England. Although surgery has been performed, the timeline for his comeback remains uncertain. New Zealand’s head coach, Gary Stead, holds out hope for Southee’s recovery in time for their opening game in the tournament, but the uncertainty looms large.
4) Naseem Shah (Pakistan):
Pakistan received a significant blow when 20-year-old Naseem Shah suffered a shoulder injury during the Asia Cup 2023 against India. This promising fast bowler was expected to form a lethal new-ball partnership with Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, scans revealed a grim prognosis, sidelining Naseem for the rest of the year, effectively ruling him out of the highly anticipated World Cup. However, Pakistan has named Hasan Ali as his replacement for the ODI World Cup 2023.
5) Ebadot Hossain (Bangladesh):
The latest addition to the list of players to miss the ODI World Cup due to injury is Ebadot Hossain. Hossain’s heroics in helping Bangladesh secure a historic Test victory in New Zealand elevated his stocks for the World Cup. However, a cruel twist of fate saw him suffer an ACL injury during the ODIs against Afghanistan. ACL injuries are notorious for their lengthy recovery periods, and Ebadot’s absence will be felt keenly by the Tigers.
6) Axar Patel (India):
India’s Axar Patel, an all-rounder with immense potential, suffered multiple blows to his body during an Asia Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh. These injuries have made has forced him to join the list of players who will miss World Cup 2023 due to injury. Concerns about his match fitness led to the inclusion of Washington Sundar in the squad as a backup. With India playing a three-match series against Australia before their World Cup warm-up games, Axar still has some time to recover and make his mark in the tournament.
7) Steve Smith (Australia):
Australia’s star batter, Steve Smith is another shocking enrolment to the list of players to miss ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury. Smith endured a wrist tendon injury during the Ashes 2023 series, leaving him sidelined. Despite trying various remedies, including wearing splints, Smith eventually opted for cortisone injections to address the injury. His next assignment will be the three-match ODI tour of India just before the World Cup, offering a glimmer of hope for his return.
8) Mitchell Starc (Australia):
Mitchell Starc, Australia’s left-arm pace spearhead, faced injury setbacks after the conclusion of the Ashes series, experiencing shoulder problems and groin soreness. Like Smith, Starc is expected to make a comeback for the India series and aims to regain full fitness for the World Cup.
9) Maheesh Theekshana & Dushmantha Chameera (Sri Lanka):
Sri Lanka’s bowling unit took a double hit with injuries to Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera. Theekshana sustained a hamstring tear while fielding against Pakistan in a Super 4 fixture, further adding to Sri Lanka’s woes. Chameera, who is among the most experienced pacers for Sri Lanka, will miss the World Cup due to a pectoral injury suffered during the Lanka Premier League. His absence is a significant setback for the Islanders. The duo are among the players who will miss the World Cup 2023 due to injury.
10) Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka):
Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka’s ace spinner, missed the entire Asia Cup 2023 tournament due to a thigh strain. This injury also caused him to miss the LPL 2023 final. Sri Lanka is cautiously managing his return to ensure he’s fit for the World Cup, which might mean he misses the early matches of the tournament.
11) Haris Rauf (Pakistan):
Pakistani right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf sustained a side strain during a match, raising concerns about his availability. However, captain Babar Azam remains hopeful that Rauf will recover in time to be part of the World Cup squad. But if Haris fails to recover on time then he will be the confirmed candidate on the list of players to miss World Cup 2023.
12) Jason Roy (England):
England opener Jason Roy’s persistent back injury has been a source of concern. He missed the third One Day International against New Zealand due to another back spasm. Roy’s struggles with this injury have been ongoing, and his fitness remains uncertain. If Roy fails to recover on time for the World Cup 2023 then he will be another major absentee from England’s ODI World Cup squad.
13) Kane Williamson (New Zealand):
Despite being named captain of New Zealand’s World Cup 2023 squad, Kane Williamson hasn’t played a single game since injuring his knee during IPL 2023. The prolific batsman suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee while attempting a catch during the Gujarat Titans fixture in IPL 2023.
The injury ruled him out of the league & he had to undergo surgery in New Zealand for the same. However, Williamson has resumed practice in net sessions & he has been given two weeks time to prove his fitness for the marquee event. If Williamson fails to prove his fitness then he will be another addition to the list of players to miss the ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury.
14) Rishabh Pant (India):
Rishabh Pant’s absence will be deeply felt by India in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batter had been on the road to recovery from a near-fatal car accident in December 2022. After a horrific accident on a highway, Pant underwent knee surgery and has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). His recent return to heavy training for batting and keeping raised hopes, but his fitness remains a concern.
15) Glenn Maxwell (Australia):
Glenn Maxwell’s unfortunate injury saga began with a freak fracture to his left leg during a backyard party accident in November 2022. This kept him out of action for an extended period, including the T20 World Cup. More recently, an ankle injury on the same leg added to his woes, casting doubts over his participation in the ODI World Cup 2023.
This is the list of players who are set to miss the ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury. Injuries are unpredictable & often spoil the ideal combination of the team’s Playing XI. These key players’ absence will be felt by their respective teams who will also hope to get a perfect replacement for their injured players.
Also read, Hasan Ali replaces Naseem in Pakistan’s World Cup Squad
