Labuschagne Omitted from Australian ODI Squad Versus Team India
Labuschagne finds himself omitted from Australia's three-match ODI series against India, with high-performing Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw earning a surprise call-up.
Recent Form Lead to Exclusion
Selectors dropped Labuschagne from the one-day international squad following being dismissed for one in each of his two innings during the top-end series against South Africa in August. He has a top score of 47 in his last 10 ODI innings.
Labuschagne has played 68 ODIs and amassed 1,871 runs at an average of 34.64 runs per dismissal, but will now work towards a return to the Test side in time for the Ashes beginning in Perth on November 21.
Renshaw's Return and Other Squad Changes
Recent performances suggest of a improvement in form with a score of 160 for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield this week, while Renshaw also hit a century 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.
Renshaw has played 14 Tests with the most recent appearance in India in 2023 but is also aiming for a Test return as Australia look for a fix to their batting top-order problems.
Pace Returns and Injury News
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc is back for the ODI series against India after being rested 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 sustaining a head injury in the lead up to Australia’s most recent 50-over series against South Africa.
ODI captain Pat Cummins is still unavailable as he works to regain fitness from a back injury in time to captain Australia in the opening Test of the Ashes in November.
Squad Selection Strategy and Schedule
Australia have announced a squad for only the first two T20s against India with the upcoming Ashes series, although Glenn Maxwell will be absent for the five-match series due to a wrist injury suffered in New Zealand.
Mitch Marsh will skipper both the ODI and T20 sides after smashing a century in the final game against New Zealand to seal 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 some management through the back end of the series as individuals prepare for the cricket season through Sheffield Shield cricket,” selection chief George Bailey said.
“The majority of the T20 squad will stay as a group as it’s an crucial phase in the build towards the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance 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 rivals play five T20s from October 29.
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
Australian T20 Team (first two games):
- 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
