Labuschagne Dropped from Australian ODI Team to Face Team India
The Australian selectors have left out Labuschagne from Australia's three-game ODI series versus India, with in-form Queensland colleague Matt Renshaw receiving a shock inclusion.
Performance Issues Lead to Exclusion
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 top score of 47 in his previous ten ODI batting appearances.
The batsman has featured in 68 one-day internationals and accumulated 1,871 ODI runs at an average of 34.64, but will now work towards a Test recall in time for the Ashes beginning in Perth on 21 November.
Renshaw's Return and Other Squad Updates
Labuschagne has shown signs of a return to form with a score of 160 for Queensland in the domestic first-class competition this week, while Renshaw scored a hundred for the Bulls in the same game against Tasmania.
Renshaw is in line to make his ODI debut in the upcoming series against India after previously being selected in an ODI squad in 2022.
He has played 14 Tests with the last coming in India in 2023 but is also hoping for a Test return as Australia look for a fix to their opening batting issues.
Pace Returns and Injury News
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc returns for the ODI series against India after taking a break since performing well for Australia in the whitewash of West Indies in July.
Big Bash star Mitch Owen may earn his ODI debut after being concussed in the build-up to Australia’s previous 50-over series against South Africa.
ODI captain Pat Cummins is still unavailable as he hopes to heal from a spinal issue by the time to lead Australia in the first Ashes Test in November.
Team Announcement Strategy and Schedule
Australia have announced 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 injury sustained in New Zealand.
Mitch Marsh will lead both the ODI and T20 sides after hitting a ton in the final game against New Zealand to clinch a series clean sweep 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 players get ready for the summer through domestic first-class matches,” 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 T20 World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test matches ahead.”
Australia’s three-game ODI series against India starts on October 19 in Perth, before the opponents play five T20 internationals 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 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
