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Australia Cuts Labuschagne as Cummins and Starc Return for ODI Tour

Cricketer walking off field after batting dismissal
Cricket

Australia have put a ruthless stamp on their one-day plans, cutting World Cup winner Marnus Labuschagne from the ODI squad while recalling Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc for the South African leg of their African tour.

Less than a year after lifting the trophy in Ahmedabad, and with another World Cup looming in 12 months’ time in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, the reigning champions have signalled that reputation alone will not secure a seat on the plane.

World Cup hero left out

Labuschagne’s omission is the headline call.

The 32-year-old, who carved out a vital half-century in the 2023 World Cup final against India, has been a near-permanent fixture in Australia’s ODI side, missing just five of the previous 56 matches. Now he finds himself on the outside, one of five players dropped from the group that toured Pakistan and Bangladesh in May and June.

Matt Short, Ben Dwarshuis, Todd Murphy and Liam Scott have also been cut, as selectors reshape the middle order and all-round stocks ahead of back-to-back series in Zimbabwe and South Africa later this month.

For Labuschagne, it is a jarring twist. From centre stage on the biggest night in one-day cricket to watching from home as Australia begin to build their title defence on the very continent that will host the next World Cup.

Pace power back for South Africa

If Labuschagne’s absence is the shock, the sight of Cummins and Starc back in the ODI frame is a reassuring constant.

Both fast bowlers will feature in the South African leg of the tour, with Cummins and Starc listed as “SA only” selections. Their return restores the familiar spearhead to Australia’s attack, after they sat out the recent subcontinental campaign.

Mitchell Marsh continues as a central figure and will again lead the ODI side, while Travis Head also returns after missing the Pakistan and Bangladesh matches. With Head at the top and Marsh in the engine room, Australia regain two of their most explosive white-ball hitters.

The squad still carries serious depth in pace: Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson and Billy Stanlake offer a range of speeds and angles behind the headline quicks, with Adam Zampa locked in as the frontline spinner.

New blood for a new cycle

The cuts have opened the door for a new generation.

Emerging talents Cooper Connolly, Oliver Peake and Joel Davies have been drafted into the ODI squad, a clear nod to succession planning with another World Cup cycle already underway. All three arrive with strong domestic reputations and the chance to test themselves in African conditions that will mirror next year’s global tournament.

They join a core group of established names: Alex Carey and Josh Inglis as wicketkeeping options, Cameron Green as the multi-dimensional all-rounder, and Matthew Renshaw adding versatility across the order.

Australia’s ODI squad for the Zimbabwe and South Africa series:

  • 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

Statement before the next World Cup

Australia will open with a three-match series against Zimbabwe before heading to South Africa for three more ODIs, then a Test series. It is a demanding schedule, but also an early stress test of their blueprint for back-to-back world titles.

Labuschagne’s name missing from the list underlines how hard the selection squeeze has become. Connolly, Peake and Davies now get the first crack at the spots he once held.

In a year’s time, when the World Cup returns to African soil, will Australia still be leaning on the old guard, or will this tour be remembered as the moment the next wave truly arrived?

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