Australia have omitted their top middle-order Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne from its 18-player squad for this year’s ICC Men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup in India.

“Uncapped leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and inexperienced all-rounder Aaron Hardie are the surprise inclusions,” the International Cricket Council said in a blog post on Monday. The squad would be reduced to 15 players closer to the start of the big event in the first week of October.

Squads must be finalised prior to September 28, as per the ICC regulations. Australia would play their first game against hosts India in Chennai on October 8.

Captain Pat Cummins would be facing a race against the clock to be fit for that opening contest, after it was revealed the fast bowler picked up a fractured wrist during the recent Ashes series against England.

Chief selector George Bailey revealed Cummins has “an undisplaced fracture of his left radius which requires six weeks rehabilitation,” he said.

“We view a period of enforced rest for Pat as a positive ahead of this important World Cup campaign. There are still a number of games he could play before the World Cup which is more than enough for him to have a strong preparation.”