Marnus Labuschagne Omitted from Australian ODI Team to Face India
The Australian selectors have left out Labuschagne from Australia's three-game ODI series facing India, as in-form Queensland colleague Matt Renshaw getting a surprise inclusion.
Recent Form Lead to Exclusion
Labuschagne has been omitted from the ODI squad following being dismissed for one in both of his innings during the top-end series against South Africa in August. Labuschagne has a best innings of 47 in his previous ten ODI innings.
Labuschagne has featured in 68 one-day internationals and scored 1,871 runs at an batting average of 34.64 runs per dismissal, but will now continue to press his claims a Test recall in time for the Ashes starting in Perth on 21 November.
Renshaw's Return and Team Changes
There have been indications of a return to form with 160 for Queensland in the domestic first-class competition this week, while Renshaw made a hundred for the Bulls in the identical match against Tasmania.
Renshaw could to make his white-ball international debut in the upcoming series against India after previously being selected in an ODI squad in 2022.
The left-hander 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 look for a answer to their opening batting issues.
Bowling Returns and Injury News
Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc makes a comeback for the ODI series against India after having time off since performing well for Australia in the whitewash of West Indies in July.
BBL performer Mitch Owen may earn his ODI debut after being concussed in the lead up to Australia’s most recent 50-over series against South Africa.
Skipper Pat Cummins is still unavailable as he works to regain fitness from a spinal issue by the time to captain Australia in the opening Test of the Ashes in November.
Squad Selection Strategy and Schedule
Australia have selected a squad for only the initial two T20 matches against India with the Ashes on the horizon, although Glenn Maxwell will miss all of the five-match series due to a wrist problem sustained in New Zealand.
Mitch Marsh will lead both the ODI and T20 sides after scoring a hundred in the last match against New Zealand to secure a 2-0 series win last week.
“Selectors have announced a squad for the ODI series and first two games of the T20 series as there will be rotation through the back end of the series as individuals prepare for the cricket season through Sheffield Shield cricket,” selection chief George Bailey said.
“The bulk of the T20 squad will stay as a group as it’s an crucial phase in the preparation for the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously get ready specific players for the Test series ahead.”
Australia’s three-match ODI series against India starts on 19 October in Perth, before the rivals play five T20s from 29 October.
Australia ODI Team:
- Mitchell Marsh captain
- 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