In-form Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne has been called up for the ODI series India, as part of a radically overhauled 14-man squad for a three-match tour in January. Labuschagne has managed to maintain a phenomenal average of 58.05 since earning his first Test cap last year, scoring centuries in his last three matches, and the 25-year-old has also done more than a decent job for Queensland in one-dayers.
While coaching staff would normally be cautious about pitching an uncapped player into difficult Indian conditions, chief selector Trevor Hohns was confident Labuschagne was ready for the challenge. He said, “Marnus Labuschagne is ready for his international white-ball debut after his strong form for Queensland in this form of the game.”
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The rising star is part of an ODI squad that has been revamped following Australia’s semi-final exit at this year’s World Cup in England. All-rounder Sean Abbott has made a comeback to the ODI squad after five years, spinner Ashton Agar gets another chance 18 months after his last one-dayer and paceman Josh Hazlewood has also been recalled.
Hohns said some of the new faces were being rewarded for their brilliant T20 performances while others, such as power hitter Ashton Turner, had already proved themselves in Indian conditions. The chief selector said, “The performance of our white-ball squads has been strong and we are hoping to build the momentum towards the T20 World Cup at home at the end of the year and ultimately build towards the 2023 World Cup in India.”
There was no room for high-profile players such as Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Lyon. Hohns said selectors were still monitoring spinner Lyon and Maxwell, who recently returned to the game after a break to focus on his mental health.
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Head coach Justin Langer will sit out the tour after an extended period on the road, with assistant Andrew McDonald taking charge. The series begins in Mumbai on January 14.
Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
