It’s been an interesting 24 hours for exiled test number three Marnus Labuschagne with official confirmation the 31-year-old has been dropped from the Australian 50-over squad to face India later this month.
The selection news comes just a day after Labuschagne scored his second hundred of the domestic summer for Queensland, registering a fine 160 against Tasmania in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield.
In his place, Labuschagne’s state teammate Matt Renshaw has earned a call-up for the ODI series and could finally make his international 50-over debut after going close back in 2022 against Pakistan.
Western Australian all rounder Cameron Green—the man who replaced Labuschagne as Australia’s test number three earlier this year—will also feature in the ODI series as he continues his preparations for this summer’s Ashes series against England.
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While Labuschagne’s omission from the ODI squad is another hit to his stalled international career, the move was widely anticipated given his most recent appearances during the winter series against South Africa delivered just two runs from two innings.
In more positive news, it gives Labuschagne the opportunity to keep pushing for a test recall in the Sheffield Shield having been dropped for the three-test tour of the West Indies in June and July.
Australia’s ODI series against India begins in Perth (October 19) before travelling to Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25). It will be followed by five T20Is.
Australia ODI squad vs India
Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Owen, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.