Marnus Labuschagne Omitted from Australia's ODI Lineup to Face India
Labuschagne finds himself omitted from the three-game ODI series versus India, with in-form Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw getting a shock selection.
Performance Issues Lead to Exclusion
Selectors dropped Labuschagne from the one-day international side after being dismissed for one in both of his innings during the top-end series against South Africa in August. Labuschagne has a top score of 47 in his most recent ten ODI innings.
The 31-year-old has played 68 ODIs and amassed 1,871 ODI runs at an batting average of 34.64, but will now focus on earning a Test team comeback ahead of the Ashes beginning in Perth on November 21.
Surprise Inclusion and Other Squad Updates
Recent performances suggest of a resurgence with 160 for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield this week, while Renshaw also hit a hundred for the Bulls in the identical match against Tasmania.
Renshaw is in line to make his white-ball international debut in the forthcoming series against India after last being included in an ODI squad in 2022.
He has played 14 Test matches with the last coming in India in 2023 but is also seeking a return to the Test team as Australia seek a solution to their batting top-order problems.
Pace Additions and Injury Updates
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc is back for the ODI series against India after having time off since excelling for Australia in the clean sweep of West Indies in July.
Big Bash star Mitch Owen might get his ODI debut after suffering a concussion in the build-up to Australia’s most recent 50-over series against South Africa.
Skipper Pat Cummins continues to be absent as he works to regain fitness from a spinal issue in time to lead Australia in the opening Test of the Ashes in November.
Squad Selection Strategy and Fixtures
Australia have named a squad for only the first two T20s against India with the upcoming Ashes series, although Glenn Maxwell will sit out the five-match series due to a wrist injury suffered in New Zealand.
Mitch Marsh will skipper both the ODI and T20 sides after smashing a century in the last match against New Zealand to secure a 2-0 series win last week.
“We have named a squad for the ODI series and first two games of the T20 series as there will be player management through the later stages of the series as players get ready for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket,” selection chief George Bailey said.
“The majority of the T20 squad will stay as a group as it’s an important period in the build towards the T20 World Cup next year, however we are aiming to find equilibrium to ensure we simultaneously prepare specific players for the Test series ahead.”
Australia’s three-match ODI series against India begins on October 19 in Perth, before the rivals play five T20 internationals from 29 October.
Australia ODI Squad:
- Mitchell Marsh capt
- Xavier Bartlett
- Alex Carey
- Cooper Connolly
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Nathan Ellis
- Cameron Green
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis
- Mitchell Owen
- Matthew Renshaw
- Matthew Short
- Mitchell Starc
- Adam Zampa
Australia T20 Team (initial two matches):
- Mitchell Marsh captain
- Sean Abbott
- Xavier Bartlett
- Tim David
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Nathan Ellis
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Josh Inglis
- Matthew Kuhnemann
- Mitchell Owen
- Matthew Short
- Marcus Stoinis
- Adam Zampa
