Up to 19 names in the mix for Cup: Hohns

With less than three months until the World Cup in the UK, chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns says he has 18 or 19 names in the mix for Australia's squad.

Hohns and the National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced an unchanged squad for the five-match ODI series against Pakistan but that 15-player group looks set to change with the expected returns of Mitch Starc, Steve Smith and David Warner.

The trio were not considered for selection as they return from injury, with a setback upon resuming to bowl ruling Starc out of the whirlwind tour in the UAE.

Smith and Warner, whose 12-month bans lift on March 28, will make their cricket comeback from respective elbow surgeries in the Indian Premier League, will all three players anticipated to link up with the Australian squad for May's pre-World Cup camp in Brisbane.

What is more concerning for Hohns and the NSP is the health status of injured quick Josh Hazlewood, with Hohns saying there is no indication when the star paceman will return.

With still eight one-day internationals to play, injured players to come back and a Shield season to complete before Australia's World Cup squad is named by April 23, Hohns says there are still spots up for grabs.

"I won't nominate anyone at the moment but there's still probably 18 or 19 names going around in my head," Hohns said today in Ranchi.

"There's still this lot of course, there's no doubt about that.

"We've got the other couple of boys that will everyone knows will be available again and there's still others back home on the sidelines that could consider themselves a chance."

The setback for Starc is a blow for Australia, who will play their last ODIs before the 50-over showpiece event without the 2015 World Cup player of the tournament.

The 28-year-old looked to be returning to his best at the back end of the summer, and if Australia are to the defend the title they won four years ago, they will need the match-winning ability of a fully fit Starc at their disposal.

The lack of match practice for Starc is a worry for Hohns but he is hopeful of the left-armer being right for the training camp in May.

"Ideally we'd like him in the UAE to play those games,"

"There's no doubt about that because … the core of the team needs to get used to playing together.

"It's a bit unfortunate, ideally we would have liked him to be there but of course a bowler of his quality.

"The practice games hopefully should be enough for him."

While Starc will need to prove his fitness before he's named in Australia's World Cup squad, all Smith and Warner need to do is get back playing competitive cricket.

Their path back to the Australian setup goes through India where they will be exposed to some of the best white-ball bowlers in the world in the IPL.

While putting runs on the board in the IPL would be ideal, Hohns says just seeing the pair compete at a high level will be enough for them to be considered for World Cup selection.

"It'd be nice to see them perform but it's just a matter of playing," Hohns said.

"We all know they're two of the better players in world cricket.

"So it's only natural we will take them seriously into consideration when we pick our World Cup squad.

"The main thing for them and us is to have them playing competitive cricket."

Australia's World Cup fixtures

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE