Marnus Labuschagne left out as Australia announce squad for ODI series against South Africa and India

Pat Cummins will be leading the ODI team after Aaron Finch who announced his retirement from international cricket last year

Marnus Labuschagne has been left out of Australia’s preliminary world cup squad and the ODI series against South Africa and India preceding the mega event. Pat Cummins would be leading the side after Aaron Finch who announced his retirement from international cricket last year.

Labuschagne who was short of runs in the Ashes hasn’t been able to make a mark for himself in limited-overs cricket because of his lack of ability to score big runs and play at a good strike rate in white ball cricket. He has scored 847 runs in 28 ODI innings whit a strike rate of 83.20 with an average of 31.37.

The right-hander’s record in T20 cricket is similar to his ODI record. He has scored 978 runs in 38 innings at a strike rate of 125.86 in T20s.

Uncertainty over Participation

Although Cummins has been named as Australia’s ODI captain there is uncertainty over his participation in the series against South Africa and India as it was reported that the fast bowler played the fifth and final Ashes test at the Oval with a broken wrist.

Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed that Cummins has an “undisplaced fracture of his left radius which requires six weeks rehabilitation.” However, he is expected to join the team for the ODI series in South Africa later this month.

Bailey said “We view a period of enforced rest for Pat as a positive ahead of this important World Cup campaign. There are still a number of games he could play before the World Cup which is more than enough for him to have a strong preparation.”

New Faces

Glen Maxwell won’t be a part of the team in the ODI series against South Africa as he has been granted family leave, he will directly join the team for the ODI series against India in September. Meanwhile, Australia has picked fast bowler Aaron Harddie for the ODI and T20I series against South Africa.

Matt Short and Spenser Jhonson also join the national squad for the first time while Jason Behrendoff who last played for Australia against Pakistan last year has also been picked in the squad