ODI World Cup 2023: Marnus Labuschagne axed from Australian squad in shock move
Australia’s selectors have named an extended squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup but haven’t named a deputy for captain Pat Cummins as a star has been axed.
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Selectors are still refusing to nominate a standby captain should Pat Cummins miss matches during the ODI World Cup, as the axe fell on superstar batsman Marnus Labuschagne.
Australia has named an 18-man ODI squad to tour South Africa later this month, which will then be trimmed to 15 by late September for the 50-over showpiece in India, with young guns Aaron Hardie and Tanveer Sangha thrust into the mix as potential World Cup bolters.
The biggest call has been to dump Labuschagne from World Cup plans, despite the fact he is one of the premier batsmen in Test cricket.
Selectors have essentially decided it can’t work to have Labuschagne in the same batting order as Steve Smith, and will lean towards an all-rounder heavy line-up, with impressive West Australian Hardie now jostling with Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Sean Abbott for places in the final 15.
Despite the mental and physical load endured by Cummins on the Ashes and question marks raised over his on-field tactics, selectors have not entertained any thought of subbing in a new captain to ease the load on the star fast bowler for the World Cup.
To the point where Australia are still planning to share the ODI captaincy around in the upcoming World Cup warm-up series against South Africa with no vice-captain named.
“We’ve got that broader white-ball leadership group – Steve Smith, Alex Carey and Josh Hazlewood have all had the opportunity to lead in recent history. Mitch Marsh (new T20 captain) is also a part of that leadership group,” Bailey said.
“I think certainly for South Africa we’ll look to continue that process of offering it around as we get closer to the World Cup.
“The expectation is that Pat will be there and fit and ready to captain for the World Cup.
“… As we’ve said right from the outset with Pat’s captaincy, he was appointed with a view to lead this team to the World Cup and that remains.”
Selector Bailey experienced a similar squeeze to what Labuschagne is now facing towards the end of his own playing career, when Australia decided at the 2015 World Cup that it couldn’t have him and Michael Clarke in the same top order.
Labuschagne has the makings of an ODI star but hasn’t nailed his opportunities like he has in Test cricket.
“We know Marnus at his best is good enough to hold down a spot in the one-day team, we just haven’t seen enough of it consistently in the role we’d like him to do,” Bailey said.
“We’ve been really clear with Marnus, he’s going to be part of some Australia A games around the same time, so he can focus on some white-ball cricket.”
Cummins will be rested for at least some of the 50-over matches in South Africa as he recovers from a minor wrist fracture picked up in the Ashes.
Sangha hasn’t played cricket in over 12 months’ due to injury but is a serious prospect who will learn plenty shadowing first-choice spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar in South Africa.
It’s unlikely the young NSW leg-spinner would make the final 15-man side, unless Australia decides it needs three spinners to conquer Indian World Cup conditions.
That option is diminished somewhat by the fact Sangha, Zampa and Agar all spin the ball the same way.
Hardie is the player to watch in Australian cricket at the moment.
He may also be up against it to force his way into a 15-man final squad with so many all-rounders, but Stoinis in particular is now officially on notice that there’s a new prospect on the scene and the pressure is on.
Hardie is rated one of the best batting talents in Australia and Bailey confirmed he is in contention for selection in all formats.
Maxwell will miss the ODI series in South Africa due to family leave, but will rejoin them in India.
AUSSIE SHOCK AS STAR AXED FROM ODI WORLD CUP SQUAD
Marnus Labuschagne has been axed from Australia’s one-day World Cup campaign, while young stars Aaron Hardie and Tanveer Sangha have been thrust into the limelight as bolters.
Selectors have named an 18-man ODI squad to tour South Africa later this month, which will then be trimmed to 15 by late September for the October showpiece to take place in India.
The biggest call has been to dump Labuschagne from the World Cup plans, despite the fact he is one of the premier batsmen in Test cricket.
Selectors have decided it can’t work to have Labuschagne in the same batting order as Steve Smith, particularly with impressive West Australian Hardie added to the mix of all-rounders in the squad which already includes Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.
As revealed by this masthead, Marsh has been named Australia’s new Twenty20 captain, with a series of T20 matches to also be played in South Africa.
National Selector George Bailey experienced a similar conundrum to what Labuscahagne now faces towards the end of his own playing career, when Australia decided at the 2015 World Cup that it couldn’t have him and Michael Clarke in the same top order.
Labuschagne has the makings of an ODI star but hasn’t nailed his opportunities like he has in Test cricket.
ODI captain Pat Cummins will be rested for at least some of the 50-over matches in South Africa as he recovers from a minor wrist fracture picked up in the Ashes.
Sangha hasn’t played cricket in over 12 months’ due to injury but is a serious prospect who will learn plenty shadowing first-choice spinners Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar in South Africa.
It’s unlikely the young NSW leg-spinner would make the final 15-man side, unless Australia decides it needs three spinners to conquer Indian World Cup conditions.
Hardie is the player to watch in Australian cricket at the moment.
He may also be up against it to force his way into a 15-man final squad with so many all-rounders, but the likes of Stoinis and Cameron Green are now officially on notice that there’s a new prospect on the scene.
Hardie is rated one of the best batting talents in Australia.
Maxwell will miss the ODI series in South Africa due to family leave, but will rejoin them in India.
There is no doubt over Cummins for the World Cup.
“Pat injured his left wrist diving in the field on the first day at The oval,” national selector, George Bailey said.
“He has an undisplaced fracture of his left radius which requires six weeks rehabilitation.
“We expect him to join the squad during the South African ODI series. 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.”
Marsh will take over from the retired Aaron Finch as T20 captain, while exciting BBL quick Spencer Johnson and run-scorer Matt Short are set for national debuts.
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Originally published as ODI World Cup 2023: Marnus Labuschagne axed from Australian squad in shock move
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