Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell who are nursing some sort of injury are all included in Australia's 15-member provisional squad.
While Cummins and Smith are nursing wrist injuries, Starc and Maxwell are out with a groin problem and ankle issue respectively.
All four are in a race against time to get fit for the marquee event, starting in India on October 5.
The 31-year-old Abbott trumped fellow quick Nathan Ellis for a spot in the squad.
All-rounders are of huge importance in limited-overs cricket and Australia have preferred to go with multi-talented players. Apart from Abbott, the five-time champions have also picked Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, and Marcus Stoinis as the seam-bowling all-rounders.
Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar are the two specialist spinners picked while Josh Inglis has been included as the back-up wicketkeeper.
Changes to the 15-player squad can be made until September 28.
They will open their World Cup campaign against hosts India in Chennai on October 8.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa