Labuschagne Omitted from Australian ODI Lineup Versus India
The Australian selectors have left out Labuschagne from the three-game ODI series facing India, with in-form Queensland colleague Matt Renshaw earning a surprise inclusion.
Performance Issues Result in Omission
Selectors dropped Labuschagne from the one-day international squad after managing only a single run in his two batting efforts during the top-end series against South Africa in August. Labuschagne has a best innings of forty-seven in his previous ten ODI innings.
The batsman 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 ahead of the Ashes beginning in Perth on November 21.
Surprise Inclusion and Other Squad Changes
Labuschagne has shown signs of a improvement in form with a score of 160 for Queensland in the domestic first-class competition this week, while Renshaw made a century for the Bulls in the identical match against Tasmania.
Renshaw could to make his ODI debut in the forthcoming series against India after his last inclusion in an ODI squad in 2022.
Renshaw has played 14 Tests with the last coming in India in 2023 but is also hoping for a return to the Test team as Australia seek a fix to their batting top-order problems.
Bowling Additions and Fitness News
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc makes a comeback for the ODI series against India after taking a break since performing well for Australia in the whitewash of West Indies in July.
BBL performer Mitch Owen could make his ODI debut after suffering a concussion in the lead up to Australia’s previous 50-over series against South Africa.
ODI captain Pat Cummins remains on the sidelines as he hopes to heal from a spinal issue by the time to lead Australia in the first Ashes Test in November.
Squad Selection Approach and Fixtures
Australia have named a squad for only the first two T20s against India with the upcoming Ashes series, although Glenn Maxwell will be absent for the five-match series due to a wrist injury sustained in New Zealand.
Mitch Marsh will skipper both the ODI and T20 sides after smashing a century in the final game against New Zealand to seal a series clean sweep last week.
“We have named 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 Sheffield Shield cricket,” Australia chair of selectors George Bailey said.
“The bulk of the T20 squad will remain together 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 certain individuals for the Test matches ahead.”
Australia’s three-match ODI series against India commences on October 19 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
Australia 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