‘No room’ for under-fire veteran Marnus Labuschagne as Aussies plan for World Cup

Under-pressure batter Marnus Labuschagne has been axed from Australia’s one-day squad as selectors mull plans for next year’s World Cup.

Labuschagne is the most notable name omitted from the under-strength ODI squad that toured Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier this year.

The change suggests the national selection panel, headed by George Bailey, is keen to look at other options ahead of Australia’s 50-over World Cup defence in southern Africa.

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Labuschagne is also facing a fight to retain his spot in Australia’s XI on the three-Test tour of South Africa, which begins in Durban on October 9.

“Separating those formats out. It was a one-day cricket conversation,” Bailey said.

“I think this is a pretty important tour for us. Zimbabwe and South Africa is where the World Cup will be played.

“There’s not a whole lot of games and the opportunity is well deserved to those other players who’ve been selected.

“Marn, he’s played some really important one-day cricket at this best.

“But the way this squad was shaping up and what it looks like, there was no room for him.”

Australia have named a new-look ODI squad for a tour of South Africa, dropping Marnus Labuschagne. Credit: AAP

Australia will play three one-dayers in Zimbabwe and three one-dayers in South Africa during September, before shifting attention to the red-ball games.

Superstars Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will take part in the South African leg of the ODI tour, while Mitch Marsh, Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood return to the one-day squad after sitting our this year’s tour of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Young guns Ollie Peake and allrounder Joel Davies have been given a golden chance to shine on the limited-overs tour.

“For Ollie and Joel, who we rate very highly, it’s another fantastic opportunity and a further chance for them to continue their exposure and growth in the Australian team.” Bailey said.

Selectors have also named four-day and one-day squads for an Australia A tour of India in September-October, notably picking former Test batter Peter Handscomb for the red-ball section of the trip.

Brendan Doggett, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Josh Philippe and Jhye Richardson will also play the four-day games, which are serving as somewhat of a selection trial for next year’s Test tour of India.

“It’s a strong representation of players who will be in contention to be part of the group we take to India next year or see as having potential for further opportunities into the future,” Bailey said.

Australia’s ODI squad: Mitch Marsh, Pat Cummins (capt, 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.

Australia A four-day squad: Brendan Doggett, Jack Edwards, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott.

Australia A one-day squad: Mahli Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachlan Shaw.