Australia's ODI Squad for African Series: Labuschagne Omitted

Australia have named their ODI squad for back‑to‑back series in Zimbabwe and South Africa later this month, and a World Cup hero has paid the price for a prolonged form slump.

Marnus Labuschagne, who carved out a vital half-century in the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, has been dropped from the one-day set-up, one of five players cut less than a year out from the next tournament.

World champion, but no place on the plane

Australia arrive in Africa as reigning ODI world champions, still basking in the glow of that upset win over India. Labuschagne was central to that triumph, steadying a nervy chase on the biggest stage of all.

Since then, the runs have dried up.

The 32-year-old has been a near-permanent fixture in the format, missing only five of Australia’s previous 56 ODIs, yet the selectors have now drawn a line. Labuschagne, Matt Short, Ben Dwarshuis, Todd Murphy and Liam Scott — all part of the squad that toured Pakistan and Bangladesh in May and June — have been left out for the African leg.

For a player who once looked entrenched in all three formats, it is a sharp reminder of how quickly the white-ball landscape can shift.

Cummins and Starc back to lead the charge

If Labuschagne’s omission is the headline, the return of Australia’s heavy artillery with the ball is the exclamation mark.

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will both feature in the ODIs against South Africa, bolstering an attack that has been rotated heavily since the World Cup. Their availability signals a clear intent: this is not a gentle tune-up, but a serious step towards defending the crown in 2027, when the World Cup will be staged across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, both absent from the Pakistan and Bangladesh series, also return, restoring the core of the batting order that powered Australia’s surge to the title.

Around them, a familiar seam battery of Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson and Billy Stanlake gives the selectors ample pace options, with Adam Zampa once again the frontline spinner.

New blood for a new cycle

The cut for Labuschagne opens the door for a wave of younger talent.

Emerging prospects Cooper Connolly, Oliver Peake and Joel Davies have been drafted into the squad, a clear nod to succession planning. They arrive with reputations forged in domestic and age-group cricket, now asked to test themselves in the harsh light of international tours.

Australia’s selectors have rarely been shy about fast-tracking players they believe can handle the jump. This tour, split between Zimbabwe and South Africa, offers a relatively early look at who might carry the baton into the next World Cup cycle.

The road through Africa

Australia will first contest a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe before heading to South Africa for another three games, then rolling into a Test series against the Proteas.

It is a demanding schedule, but also a precious window. Roles can be refined, combinations tested, and questions answered about who truly fits the long-term plan.

The squad named for the African ODIs is:

Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins (South Africa 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 (South Africa only), Adam Zampa.

The message is unmistakable. Australia are world champions, but no one is safe on reputation alone. For Labuschagne, the challenge is clear: find runs, or risk watching the next World Cup from home.