Marnus Labuschagne’s stunning rise has reached new heights with the Queenslander named in Australia’s ODI squad for the Qantas Tour of India next month. The uncapped Labuschagne has been named as part of a 14-player squad to face India in three one-day internationals in January, with assistant coach Andrew McDonald leading the group while Justin Langer takes a rest.
There was no room for the World Cup trio of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis or Nathan Lyon, who will instead play in the KFC Big Bash League while the national side visits the subcontinent.
Labuschagne averaged 60 in the Marsh One-Day Cup for the Bulls this season and has scored three centuries in as many Tests this summer, which has seen him rocket up the ICC Test batting rankings to sit inside the top five batters in the world. He joins Western Australia’s Ashton Turner and Victoria captain Peter Handscomb in the middle order, with skipper Aaron Finch, David Warner and Steve Smith at the top.
Hazlewood has been named despite being ruled out of the second Domain Test at the MCG with a hamstring strain, and should he be unavailable for the third Test in Sydney, the right-armer is expected to make his return in the KFC BBL with the Sydney Sixers in the New Year.
“The performance of the top order at home through the T20 series was very strong so we look for that to continue in the Indian ODI series,” said national selector Trevor Hohns.
“We also believe Marnus Labuschagne is ready for his international white-ball debut after his strong form for Queensland in this form of the game.
“Ashton Turner has proven himself in India with his ability to adapt to local conditions as did Peter Handscomb who joined the squad at the most recent World Cup.
“Peter also doubles as a backup ‘keeper if required while Ashton Agar adds to the squad with his all-round abilities.
“In terms of the bowling group we are sticking with combination that are performing well. Sean Abbott and Kane Richardson are in the squad following the successful T20 campaign.
“Adam Zampa and his growing combination with Agar is also something the selectors want to see more of while Nathan Lyon remains in the one-day squad selection frame.”
While Australia’s selectors have rewarded a majority of the T20 squad that beat Sri Lanka and Pakistan to start the summer, there are seven players missing from the World Cup squad that lost in the semi-finals to eventual champions England.
Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Maxwell, Stoinis and Lyon have been dropped, while Jason Behrendorff is unavailable due to injury.
Maxwell is set to return to professional cricket in the KFC BBL this week after taking time away from the game on mental health grounds.
The 31-year-old averaged 22.12 at the World Cup, while Stoinis – Australia’s reigning ODI Player of the Year – averaged 14.50 as he battled injury throughout the campaign.
The pair will line-up for the Melbourne Stars this Friday when they take on the Brisbane Heat on the Gold Coast.
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (vc), Pat Cummins (vc), Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, David Warner, Adam Zampa
