Labuschagne Dropped from Australian ODI Lineup to Face Team India
The Australian selectors have left out Labuschagne from the three-game ODI series against India, as high-performing Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw getting a surprise inclusion.
Recent Form Lead to Omission
The right-hander was left out from the one-day international team following managing only a single run in his two batting efforts during the top-end series against South Africa in August. He has a best innings of 47 in his previous ten ODI batting appearances.
Labuschagne has played 68 one-day internationals and amassed 1,871 runs at an batting average of 34.64, but will now focus on earning a Test recall ahead of the Ashes starting in Perth on November 21.
Renshaw's Return and Team Updates
Labuschagne has shown signs of a resurgence with a score of 160 for Queensland in the domestic first-class competition this week, while Renshaw also hit a hundred for the Bulls in the identical match against Tasmania.
Renshaw is in line to make his white-ball international debut in the upcoming series against India after his last inclusion in an ODI squad in 2022.
He has played 14 Test matches with the most recent appearance in India in 2023 but is also seeking a red-ball recall as Australia search for a solution to their top-order woes.
Bowling Additions and Fitness Updates
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc returns for the ODI series against India after taking a break since starring for Australia in the clean sweep of West Indies in July.
Big Bash star Mitch Owen might get his ODI debut after suffering a concussion in the build-up to Australia’s last 50-over series against South Africa.
ODI captain Pat Cummins is still unavailable as he aims to recover from a spinal issue in time to captain Australia in the first Ashes Test in November.
Squad Selection Approach and Schedule
Australia have announced a squad for only the initial two T20 matches against India with the Ashes approaching, although Glenn Maxwell will be absent for the five-match series due to a wrist injury suffered in New Zealand.
Mitch Marsh will captain both the ODI and T20 teams after scoring a hundred in the final game against New Zealand to clinch a 2-0 series win 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 back end of the series as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket,” selection chief George Bailey said.
“The bulk of the T20 squad will stay as a group as it’s an important period in the build towards the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously get ready specific players for the Test matches ahead.”
Australia’s three-game ODI series against India starts on 19 October in Perth, before the opponents play five T20s from October 29.
Australia ODI Squad:
- 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 Squad (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
