Labuschagne Left Out from Australian ODI Lineup to Face Team India
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia's three-match ODI series against India, as high-performing Queensland colleague Matt Renshaw getting a surprise selection.
Performance Issues Lead to Omission
Selectors dropped Labuschagne from the ODI squad following being dismissed for one in each of his two innings during the top-end series against South Africa in August. He has a highest score of forty-seven in his most recent ten ODI batting appearances.
The batsman has featured in 68 ODIs and amassed 1,871 ODI runs at an batting average of 34.64, but will now continue to press his claims a Test team comeback ahead of the Ashes starting in Perth on November 21.
Renshaw's Return and Other Squad Updates
Labuschagne has shown signs of a resurgence with a score of 160 for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield this week, while Renshaw scored a century for the Bulls in the same game against Tasmania.
Renshaw could to make his ODI debut in the forthcoming series against India after previously being selected in an ODI squad in 2022.
He has played 14 Test matches with the last coming in India in 2023 but is also aiming for a return to the Test team as Australia seek a solution to their opening batting issues.
Pace Returns and Fitness Updates
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc makes a comeback for the ODI series against India after being rested since performing well for Australia in the clean sweep of West Indies in July.
Big Bash star Mitch Owen could make his ODI debut after being concussed in the lead up to Australia’s most recent 50-over series against South Africa.
Skipper Pat Cummins remains on the sidelines as he works to regain fitness from a back injury in time to lead Australia in the opening Test of the Ashes in November.
Squad Selection Strategy and Schedule
Australia have named a squad for only the first two T20s against India with the Ashes approaching, although Glenn Maxwell will miss all of the five-game T20 series due to a wrist injury sustained in New Zealand.
Mitch Marsh will skipper both the ODI and T20 teams after scoring a hundred in the last match against New Zealand to seal a two-nil victory last week.
“We have named a squad for the ODI series and first two games of the T20 series as there will be rotation 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 remain together as it’s an important period in the preparation for the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously get ready certain individuals for the Test series ahead.”
Australia’s three-game ODI series against India commences on 19 October in Perth, before the opponents play five T20 internationals from October 29.
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 Squad (first two games):
- Mitchell Marsh capt
- 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
