Marnus Labuschagne Left Out from Australia's One-Day International Lineup Versus India
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the three-game ODI series facing India, with in-form Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw receiving a shock selection.
Recent Form Lead to Exclusion
Selectors dropped Labuschagne from the one-day international side after scoring just one run in both of his innings during the top-end series against South Africa in August. He has a top score of 47 in his previous ten ODI batting appearances.
The 31-year-old has played 68 ODIs and scored 1,871 ODI runs at an batting average of 34.64 runs per dismissal, but will now focus on earning a Test team comeback in time for the Ashes beginning in Perth on November 21.
Surprise Inclusion and Other Squad Changes
There have been indications 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 identical match against Tasmania.
Renshaw is in line to make his ODI debut in the forthcoming series against India after last being included in an ODI squad in 2022.
Renshaw has played 14 Test matches with the most recent appearance in India in 2023 but is also hoping for a Test return as Australia seek a solution to their top-order woes.
Bowling Returns and Fitness Updates
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc is back for the ODI series against India after having time off since excelling for Australia in the 3-0 Test series 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 hopes to heal from a spinal issue in time to lead 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 upcoming Ashes series, although Glenn Maxwell will be absent for 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 smashing a century in the last match against New Zealand to clinch a series clean sweep last week.
“Selectors have announced a squad for the ODI series and initial two matches of the T20 series as there will be rotation through the later stages of the series as players get ready for the cricket season through domestic first-class matches,” Australia chair of selectors George Bailey said.
“The majority of the T20 squad will remain together 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 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 opponents play five T20s from October 29.
Australian One-Day 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
Australian T20 Squad (first two games):
- 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
