Labuschagne Omitted from Australian ODI Lineup Against India
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia's three-game ODI series against India, as high-performing Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw receiving a shock selection.
Recent Form Lead to Exclusion
Selectors dropped Labuschagne from the ODI team after scoring just one run in each of his two innings during the top-end series against South Africa in August. He has a highest score of 47 in his previous ten ODI batting appearances.
The batsman has played 68 ODIs and scored 1,871 runs at an batting average of 34.64, but will now work towards a Test recall in time for the Ashes starting in Perth on November 21.
Renshaw's Return and Team Updates
Labuschagne has shown signs of a return to form with a score of 160 for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield this week, while Renshaw scored a hundred for the Bulls in the identical match against Tasmania.
The left-hander may to make his first white-ball appearance in the forthcoming series against India after previously being selected in an ODI squad in 2022.
Renshaw has played 14 Test matches with the last coming in India in 2023 but is also seeking a Test return as Australia look for a fix to their batting top-order problems.
Bowling Additions and Fitness Updates
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc is back for the ODI series against India after taking a break since performing well for Australia in the 3-0 Test series sweep of West Indies in July.
BBL performer Mitch Owen may earn his ODI debut after suffering a concussion in the lead up to Australia’s last 50-over series against South Africa.
Skipper Pat Cummins remains on the sidelines as he works to regain fitness from a spinal issue by the time to lead Australia in the opening Test of the Ashes in November.
Team Announcement Approach and Fixtures
Australia have announced a squad for only the initial two T20 matches against India with the upcoming Ashes series, although Glenn Maxwell will be absent for the five-game T20 series due to a wrist problem sustained in New Zealand.
Mitch Marsh will skipper both the ODI and T20 teams after hitting a ton in the last match against New Zealand to clinch a series clean sweep 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 back end of the series as individuals prepare for the cricket season through Sheffield Shield cricket,” Australia chair of selectors George Bailey said.
“The bulk of the T20 squad will stay as a group as it’s an crucial phase in the build towards the World Cup next year, however we are aiming to find equilibrium to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test matches ahead.”
Australia’s three-match ODI series against India commences on 19 October in Perth, before the opponents play five T20s from October 29.
Australian One-Day 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
Australian 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