Marnus Labuschagne Out Of 2027 World Cup As Australia Lock In ODI Squad vs South Africa, Zimbabwe

Marnus Labuschagne out of Australia ODI squad [Source: AFP]

In a ground-breaking development, Cricket Australia (CA) excluded Marnus Labuschagne from the 2027 World Cup plans, dropping the batter from the Australia ODI squad vs South Africa and Zimbabwe. On September 1, CA announced the Australia ODI squad for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, set to be played from September 15 to 30. 

Led by Mitchell Marsh, the Aussies will face Zimbabwe in three ODI matches at the Harare Sports Club. After that, Pat Cummins will take over the captaincy duties and spearhead the tourists when they take on the Proteas in their backyard across three games in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom. 

Marnus Labuschagne has fallen out of 2027 World Cup plans, confirms Cricket Australia

Experienced batter Marnus Labuschagne has recently grabbed the limelight for wrong reasons. He has been struggling with a persistent lean patch across formats, with his last international century dating back to 2023.

Since 2024, Marnus Labuschagne has played 23 ODIs, managing only 350 runs with just two half-centuries at a modest average of 21.88 and a dismal strike rate of 74.95. 

Therefore, Labuschagne has been rightly snubbed from Australia's 2027 World Cup preparations, which kicks off with the highly anticipated series against Zimbabwe and South Africa. 

Referring to Labuschagne's ouster from the ODI team, Cricket Australia stated: "Marnus Labuschagne has fallen out of Australia's plans for their World Cup title defence, with the dumped ODI batter now sweating on whether a similar fate awaits for his Test spot."

Cummins, Starc won't feature in Zimbabwe series; Head, Marsh return

The experienced duo of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will link up with the Australia ODI squad only for the South Africa series. 

In their absence, the Australian team will rely on Josh Hazlewood to lead their fast-bowling department in Zimbabwe alongside Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson and Billy Stanlake. 

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The destructive opening duo of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head also make their way back into the ODI setup after missing the series against Pakistan and Bangladesh. Marsh was sidelined from the series due to an ankle injury, while Head was granted leave by the Australian management after a hectic IPL campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

The unavailability of these two players negatively affected Australia's performance in Pakistan and Bangladesh, as the visitors lost both the series by 2-1. The Australians suffered early setbacks more often than not, registering an average opening stand of just 12.33 runs in those six matches. 

In fact, Australia lost their first wicket for nought on four out of six occasions, highlighting the importance of Marsh and Head, who have hammered 699 runs, including six fifty-plus stands, for the first wicket, averaging 69.9 in 11 innings. So, their comeback certainly boosts the Australia ODI squad vs South Africa and Zimbabwe. 

Connolly, Oliver Peake and Joel Davies form Australia's young core

Cooper Connolly, who hammered 184 runs, including a 134-ball 149 that helped Australia secure a thrilling one-wicket win in the Bangladesh series, retains his spot in the squad. He will spearhead Australia's young core along with Oliver Peake, touted as the next big thing from the glorious cricketing nation. 

Meanwhile, Joel Davies, who bats left-handed and is also a left-arm spinner, adds value to the table as a genuine allrounder, with Cricket Australia aiming to prepare several multidimensional players for the 2027 World Cup. 

Australia's ODI squad vs South Africa and Zimbabwe

Australia squad- Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins (SA only), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc (SA only), Adam Zampa

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