Labuschagne Omitted from Australia's ODI Team to Face Team India
The Australian selectors have left out Labuschagne from the three-match ODI series facing India, with high-performing Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw getting a unexpected inclusion.
Performance Issues Lead to Omission
Selectors dropped Labuschagne from the ODI side following managing only a single run in each of his two innings during the top-end series against South Africa in August. Labuschagne has a top score of 47 in his most recent ten ODI batting appearances.
The 31-year-old has featured in 68 ODIs and amassed 1,871 ODI runs at an average of 34.64, but will now continue to press his claims a Test team comeback ahead of the Ashes beginning in Perth on 21 November.
Surprise Inclusion and Team Changes
There have been indications of a resurgence 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 upcoming series against India after last being included in an ODI squad in 2022.
The left-hander has played 14 Test matches with the last coming in India in 2023 but is also seeking a red-ball recall as Australia search for a answer to their batting top-order problems.
Pace Returns and Injury News
Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc makes a comeback for the ODI series against India after having time off since performing well for Australia in the clean sweep of West Indies in July.
Big Bash star Mitch Owen could make his ODI debut after sustaining a head injury in the build-up to Australia’s last 50-over series against South Africa.
Skipper Pat Cummins is still unavailable as he hopes to heal from a spinal issue in time to captain Australia in the first Ashes Test in November.
Team Announcement Approach and Schedule
Australia have named 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 lead both the ODI and T20 teams after scoring a hundred in the last match 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 Sheffield Shield cricket,” Australia chair of selectors George Bailey said.
“The majority of the T20 squad will remain together as it’s an important period in the preparation for the T20 World Cup next year, however we are aiming to find equilibrium to ensure we simultaneously get ready certain individuals for the Test series ahead.”
Australia’s three-match ODI series against India starts on 19 October in Perth, before the opponents play five T20s from 29 October.
Australian One-Day 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
Australian T20 Team (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
