As 2023 slighlty edges closer, another One Day International World Cup is not too far into the future and the planning will be well and truely underway for nations.
The tournament is slated to return to India for the first time since 2011 when the host nation defeated Sri Lanka in the final to deliver their first World Cup victory.
After a disappointing finish to the 2019 ODI World Cup, Australia will be looking to bounce back and reclaim the crown from 2015 in a tournament which they have dominated winning in four of the last six editions.
In 2019, Australia produced an impressive group stage performance before being played off the park at Edgebaston by arch rival England in the semi-final.
We take a look ahead to the World Cup starting in November 2023 and select a potential XI that could take the field in India.
1. David Warner
A staple at the top of the order in all three formats for Australia, David Warner would almost certainly be playing his final ODI World Cup come 2023.
The aggressive opening batsman sets the tone for his country with bat in hand and is a reliable selection for Australia despite the fact he will be 37 by the time the World Cup comes around.
Warner has been a World Cup specialist for Australia, winning Man of the Tournament in Australia's maiden T20 World Cup victory in 2021, while he was also the second leading run scorer in the 2019 ODI World Cup in England.
His experience in big games will be attractive to the selectors, while his pure destructive batting capabilities will always strike fear into opposition bowling attacks.
2. Josh Philippe
As impressive young talent goes, Philippe is right at the top in Australia.
The exciting opening batsman has been on the radar of selectors and cricketing fans for a few years now, and come the 2023 World Cup, he might just win the opening position.
Philippe has starred for the Sydney Sixers over the past couple of seasons in the Big Bash League, while he has also tasted some international cricket, playing 10 T20 matches and three ODI's for Australia.
Currently just 24 years of age, Philippe would also be a breath of fresh air for the Australian's and could be a handy contributor for years to come.
3. Steve Smith
Coming in at number three is Steve Smith. Along with Warner, Smith will be another experienced member of the 2023 squad on the plane to India.
The Australian champion would most likely bat at the three or four in the order, providing a foundation for some of the more aggressive batsmen to bat around. Smith's bevy of experience playing international cricket in the sub-continent will be a strength in India.
Leadership and support in the field is another trait Smith brings to the table, which could be vital depending on the form of long time white-ball captain Aaron Finch.
4. Mitchell Marsh
Australia's T20 World Cup hero Mitch Marsh is currently in the midst of playing career-best cricket.
Marsh was sensational in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand last year, and showed his full white-ball capabilities. It would be hard to imagine barring injury that Marsh wouldn't be selected for the ODI World Cup next year given his raw power and ability to perform on the big stage.
The powerful all-rounder has previously been used in the lower order at the back ends of innings during ODIs, however a move up the order proved telling in the T20 side and his ability take the game away from an opposition suggests batting at four would be perfect for Marsh.
Marsh also brings further versatility to the squad being able to bowl a number of overs throughout a World Cup to support the frontline bowlers.
5. Travis Head
Travis Head has been unable to cement a spot within Australia's white ball teams over the previous couple of years after being given opportunities in both formats.
However, his recent Ashes series against England suggests he is entering a sweet spot in his career. Head was named Player of the Series after being the top scorer over the five match series in which he only played in four.
What stood out above all with his batting throughout the series was his ability to score quickly with an aggressive approach. For the series, Head totalled 357 runs at a strike rate of 86.02, almost unheard of in Test cricket.
With the showing Head provided in the Ashes series, it's hard not to think he will be given an opportunity in some white-ball series between now and the World Cup at the end of 2023.
Head's impressive Ashes certainly points towards potential ODI success in the near future, and he could be a viable and realistic option for Australia's middle order.
6. Glenn Maxwell
The 'big show' is still one of the biggest X-factor players in world cricket.
Having Glenn Maxwell in your XI provides so much more than just a reverse sweep six into the stands. Maxwell is arguably one of the most talented batsman over the last decade but consistency has sometimes eluded him at the international level.
His ability to turn an innings within an over is a rare commodity for Australia and it would be hard to imagine a plane travelling to a World Cup in India without Maxwell on it.
Maxwell has seen success in the sub-continent throughout his career, which will also hold him in good stead for 2023. The luxury for Australia to have Maxwell in their lower order for the back end of innings is a major asset for the team, while his brilliant fielding only raises his stocks in white-ball cricket.
With spin friendly pitches expected in India, Maxwell brings another bowling option to the table with his off-spin, particularly when team balance comes into consideration.
7. Alex Carey (wk)
At this point in time Alex Carey would likely be the front runner to take the gloves in next year's World Cup.
Although Matthew Wade was preferred during the T20 World Cup last year, Carey was the wicket keeper in 2019 where he enjoyed a very productive tournament in England.
Carey has been a fairly regular component of the ODI team over the past five years in playing a variety of roles with the bat, including opening, batting in the middle order at five and also coming in at seven.
Age will also be on Carey's side come the end of next year, with Matthew Wade to be 35 come the start of the tournament.
After bringing him in for the recent Ashes series, it appears Cricket Australia have a lot of faith in Carey being a multi-format wicket-keeper and he should be the favourite 18 months out from the World Cup.
8. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc would be one of the first players picked for the World Cup next year.
Starc has always been a terrific white-ball bowler for Australia and provides the team with a point of difference, left-arm pace.
In the 2019 World Cup, Starc was at his damaging best claiming a tournament-best 27 wickets at an average of just 18.59, six wickets clear of New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson, who took 21.
His white-ball record speaks for itself, and his ability to swing the new ball at the beginning of the innings often brings about a breakthrough, while his death bowling is a major strength.
9. Pat Cummins
Much like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins will be one of the first players on the team sheet when the squad and playing 11 are announced later next year.
Cummins is currently ranked 12th in the ODI bowling rankings, however a rise up those rankings over the next 12 months would not surprise anyone.
The new Australian red-ball captain seems to go from strength to strength every year both an and off the field and has quickly become the face of Australian cricket.
His presence at the next ODI World Cup will be immense for Australia given his wide skillset and evolving leadership. Any side with Cummins will have a strong chance at coming out on top.
10. Josh Hazlewood
What a three years it has been for Josh Hazlewood in white-ball cricket.
Flashback to 2019 and 'Hoff' wasn't even a member of the Australian squad for the World Cup, where he is now the worlds 2nd ranked ODI bowler.
Hazlewood has developed his skillset and been able to evolve into a dominant multi-format fast bowler for his country.
As often is the case with fast bowlers, injuries will always be a factor but if healthy you would suspect Australia to still back in their three star seamers Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood regardless of the conditions that will be presented in India.
11. Adam Zampa
Rounding out the XI is a no-brainer of a selection, Adam Zampa.
The leg-spinner has become a reliable part of the Australian white ball set up for a number of years now, and a World Cup in India will suit him to a tee.
Currently ranked 16th among bowlers in One Day cricket, Zampa will have a major role to play on the spinning pitches that India may produce in the World Cup next year. Zampa was also an integral part of the T20 World Cup winning XI in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
Zampa may shoulder the biggest role for Australia in this World Cup next year, but he has shown on countless occasions he is more than capable of getting the job done when required for his country.
Honourable mentions
With spin friendly conditions a given, Ashton Agar will certainly be in contention for not only the squad but the playing XI. Agar also provides another lower order option with bat and giving Australia more versatility.
Marnus Labuschagne hasn't quite set the ODI world on fire like he has in the Test match arena. However Marnus has shown his work ethic to improve all facets of his game, and white ball cricket will be no exception.
The rise of Cameron Green has been an exciting one thus far. The tall all-rounder has been highly touted by greats of the game, and he put it all on display against England in the Ashes. Given the World Cup is 18 months away, Green could certainly be in the conversation alongside Mitch Marsh.
