Labuschagne Left Out from Australia's ODI Squad Against India
The Australian selectors have left out Labuschagne from Australia's three-game ODI series against India, with in-form Queensland colleague Matt Renshaw earning a shock inclusion.
Recent Form Lead to Exclusion
Labuschagne has been omitted from the one-day international side following scoring just one run in his two batting efforts during the top-end series against South Africa in August. The right-hander has a best innings of forty-seven in his most recent ten ODI batting appearances.
The batsman has played 68 ODIs and accumulated 1,871 runs at an batting average of 34.64, but will now continue to press his claims a Test team comeback ahead of the Ashes starting in Perth on November 21.
Surprise Inclusion and Other Squad Changes
Labuschagne has shown signs of a improvement in form with 160 for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield this week, while Renshaw scored a hundred for the Bulls in the same game against Tasmania.
Renshaw could to make his first white-ball appearance in the forthcoming series against India after his last inclusion 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 return to the Test team as Australia seek a fix to their opening batting issues.
Bowling Returns and Injury Updates
Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc returns for the ODI series against India after taking a break since excelling for Australia in the clean sweep of West Indies in July.
Big Bash star Mitch Owen may earn 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 works to regain fitness 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 sit out the five-match series due to a wrist problem suffered in New Zealand.
Mitch Marsh will captain both the ODI and T20 sides after smashing a century in the final game against New Zealand to clinch a 2-0 series win 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 summer through domestic first-class matches,” 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 prepare specific players 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 29 October.
Australia ODI Team:
- 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 (initial two matches):
- 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
