Australia's predicted 2027 World Cup squad: Steve Smith retirement puts spotlight on next generation
The ODI World Cup defending champions
This was the Australian team that won the 2023 ODI World Cup.
From left to right, the players pictured are Travis Head, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Mitch Marsh, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.
Of those players, Warner, Smith and Stoinis have retired from ODIs and several others are getting towards the end of their careers.
So how many of them will survive to defend the title in 2027 and who will come into that squad for the tournament to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia?
Scroll on as Wide World of Sports breaks it down.
The three survivors
Travis Head (far left), Pat Cummins (centre right) and Josh Inglis may well be the only survivors from this outstanding team by the time the next World Cup is staged in two-and-a-half years.
There are some outstanding young players bashing down the door.
Starting with the top order batters...
Travis Head
There should still be plenty of gas left in the tank for the left-handed dynamo by the time 2027 rolls around.
Head just celebrated his 31st birthday and isn't showing signs of slowing down.
Mitch Owen
Completely lit up the Big Bash this past summer and has started to turn plenty of heads, with many backing him to wear the green and gold sooner rather than later.
It's safe to believe the best cricket is still in front of Owen too, which is a scary thought for opposition bowlers.
Matt Short
One of the country's best white-ball batters and still on the right side of 30.
Short is a genuine captaincy option for the next World Cup and will be part of Australia's top-order, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Cameron Green
Has been out of sight, out of mind in more recent times due to injury, but remains one of Australia's best all-round talents.
Green looks destined to dominate all three formats for a long time to come and will likely be one of the first names selected for the next World Cup.
Josh Inglis
Announced himself to the world with a memorable century against England in the Champions Trophy and has taken over wicket-keeping duties from Alex Carey in more recent times.
Inglis has only just turned 30 and looks to be a staple of Australia's middle-order moving forward - quite possibly in both red and white-ball cricket.
Aaron Hardie
Cut from somewhat of a similar cloth as Green, the all-rounder has started to get more involved in the Aussie set-up and has all the tools to be a long-term prospect.
Hardie is still in his mid-20s and has plenty of upside, both with bat and ball, making him a valuable commodity in ODIs.
Cooper Connolly
The youngster has copped some criticism of late - some fair and some unfair - but it's quite clear that Australian selectors have plenty of faith in him.
Connolly starred in the Big Bash last summer and with more 50-over cricket, will only improve and become an asset with bat and ball for the next decade.
Pat Cummins
He might have missed the Champions Trophy, but there's every reason to believe the skipper will be in the fold for the next World Cup campaign for the Aussies.
Cummins is one of the best bowlers of his generation and still has plenty of good years ahead of him, which could very well see lead the ODI side into 2027.
