Aussies looking for World Cup 'answers' as stars return

Pat Cummins and Steve Smith will make their returns to the Australian side for the first of three ODIs against India that will make up their final World Cup warm-ups.

But two other big names – Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell – will still be missing as they recover from injuries.

Starc is on the comeback from a groin injury, while Maxwell is still recovering from a minor ankle injury he suffered in the lead up to the South Africa tour last month.

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Cummins said both will be available "later in the series".

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 19: Steve Smith of Australia celebrates scoring fifty runs during Game 2 of the One Day International series between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on November 19, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Maxwell hasn't played an international since March, but has been playing in England throughout the Australian winter.

Cummins – who himself missed the South Arica tour as he recovered from a broken wrist – said he hopes to play all three games against the World Cup hosts, in what will be their final hit-out before the tournament kicks off on October 5.

"I am feeling pretty good, pretty much 100 per cent, and hope to play tomorrow and play all the games," Cummins told media ahead of the first game on Friday night (AEST) in Mohali.

Cummins said the team would be using the series to test different combinations and players. 

"Hopefully we will get a few answers in the next few games," Cummins said.

India is doing similar, and has rested skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the first two matches.

Following a marathon two-hour net session to prove he's overcome a wrist injury picked up in the Ashes, Smith has declared he's also "feeling a million bucks".

"I faced Patty (Cummins) for a bit, felt good against him, faced quite a bit of spin and lots on the wanger, so it's a good start," Smith said.

The wanger is a throwing device that allows the thrower to pelt down quicker balls without extra effort.

Smith, who hasn't played since the fifth Ashes Test, has kept his fitness during his stint on the sidelines by running. 

He also had a cortisone injection.

Glenn Maxwell of Birmingham Bears plays the ball to the boundary during the Vitality Blast T20 match between Birmingham Bears and Worcestershire Rapids at Edgbaston on June 23, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

"I got the brace off, not much changed, had a little injection and feel a million bucks now," he told cricket.com.

"A few days after my needle I started to feel good. I was just wary with some catching stuff, landing, that I was taking it easy. But it feels good and I'm ready to go."

Smith is expected to bat at first drop, in a role that will no doubt take on even more significance in the absence of Travis Head, who suffered a broken hand against the Proteas. 

Head returned to Australia instead of following his teammates to India, but may still play at the back end of the tournament.

England will play New Zealand in the opening match. Australia will get its campaign underway against India on October 8.

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