Labuschagne Dropped from Australian One-Day International Team Against India
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the three-match ODI series versus India, with in-form Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw getting a surprise selection.
Recent Form Lead to Exclusion
Selectors dropped Labuschagne from the ODI squad following scoring just one run in both of his innings during the top-end series against South Africa in August. Labuschagne has a top score of forty-seven in his last 10 ODI innings.
The 31-year-old has played 68 one-day internationals and amassed 1,871 runs at an batting average of 34.64 runs per dismissal, but will now focus on earning a Test recall in time for the Ashes starting in Perth on November 21.
Renshaw's Return and Other Squad Updates
Labuschagne has shown signs of a return to form with 160 for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield this week, while Renshaw made a century for the Bulls in the identical match against Tasmania.
Renshaw is in line to make his first white-ball appearance in the upcoming series against India after last being included in an ODI squad in 2022.
Renshaw has played 14 Tests with the most recent appearance in India in 2023 but is also seeking a red-ball recall as Australia look for a fix to their batting top-order problems.
Bowling Returns and Fitness Updates
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc returns 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 might get his ODI debut after suffering a concussion in the lead up to Australia’s last 50-over series against South Africa.
ODI captain Pat Cummins continues to be absent as he hopes to heal from a spinal issue in time to lead Australia in the opening Test of the Ashes in November.
Team Announcement Strategy and Schedule
Australia have selected a squad for only the initial two T20 matches against India with the Ashes on the horizon, although Glenn Maxwell will sit out the five-game T20 series due to a wrist problem suffered in New Zealand.
Mitch Marsh will captain both the ODI and T20 sides after hitting a ton in the final game against New Zealand to seal a two-nil victory last week.
“We have named 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 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 important period in the preparation for the World Cup next year, however we are aiming to find equilibrium to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test series ahead.”
Australia’s three-game ODI series against India begins on October 19 in Perth, before the opponents play five T20s from October 29.
Australia ODI 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
