Ace Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia’s ODI squad for the series in Zimbabwe and South Africa as he waits patiently to find out his fate in the Test side. Marnus Labuschagne struggled on the tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh in June before scoring an unbeaten 55 in the second match, having been moved down the order, However, with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh returning to the ODI set-up, and selectors showing faith in some of the younger generation, he has been squeezed out. The Test squad for the South Africa series is set to be named next week.
George Bailey’s thoughts on the squad and Marnus Labuschagne’s omission
As far as the latest reports go, Marnus Labuschagne’s Test place was safe and while chair of selectors George Bailey said the squad was still being firmed up, he added decisions across formats were taken independently.
Speaking to reporters, George Bailey said, “We’re still very much working through what that Test squad looks like, but I can say we separate out those formats,”
Â
Australia’s ODI squad for the tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa
Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins (SA only), Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc (SA only), Adam Zampa.
Joel Davies & Ollie Peake called up for ODI team
Joel Davies, the New South Wales all-rounder, is in line for an ODI debut after impressing in the T20 series against Bangladesh earlier this year, while left-hander Ollie Peake gets another opportunity.
Pat Cummins & Mitchell Starc to join Australian squad in South Africa
Pat Cummins will remain Australia’s official ODI captain, and Mitchell Starc will both join for the South Africa leg of the tour ahead of the three-match Test series in October. Josh Hazlewood will feature in both the ODI series. Marsh will captain the side in Zimbabwe while he and Cummins will share the role in South Africa based on how many matches Cummins plays.
Spencer Johnson & Billy Stanlake recalled to the squad to bolster the pace bowling line-up
Australia have bolstered their pace stocks for the tour by including Spencer Johnson and Billy Stanlake. Left-arm quick Johnson played the most recent of his five ODIs in early 2025 and returned to the T20I side in Bangladesh after a long injury lay-off. Stanlake, meanwhile, was part of the ODI squad for the tour of Pakistan and made his first international appearance in more than seven years when he played in Rawalpindi although he went wicketless in his only appearance of the series.
While the three matches in South Africa will, in part, act as a preparation for the Test series for the multi-format players, Australia’s selectors are viewing the ODIs as a key part of planning for the next year’s World Cup which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
George Bailey’s thoughts on the importance of the upcoming white-ball series.Â
Speaking to reporters, George Bailey said, “This six-game series is an important lead-in to next year’s World Cup, being played in the same countries, for the group. As such it’s great to have Mitch Marsh, Travis and Josh returning, then Pat and Mitch Starc for the South Africa leg. This gives us our core of players mixed with some we think will continue to make an impression. “
He further added, “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.”Â
The selectors have resisted the temptation to mix and match between the ODI and Australia A squads which will be in India at the same time having previously flagged the potential for some players to be given red-ball opportunities in India with an eye on next year’s Test series.
All-rounder Cooper Connolly, who is now bowling again after a back injury, was one player floated as a candidate for the four-day games against India A but will feature throughout the ODIs having struck a magnificent 149 against Bangladesh in Mirpur, while Peake’s presence in the squad means he won’t get an opportunity in India.
George Bailey said, “It’s always a tricky one. I think we touched on this in the past: the opportunity versus not wanting to take away the opportunity of playing those A-games versus not wanting to take away the opportunity to play international cricket.”Â
He further added, “I think the three obvious ones in that boat… Cooper, Ollie and then Joel Davies as well, I’d throw into that boat. We discussed even after the South African one-dayers whether there was value in them heading across and continuing to play a bit more white-ball cricket in those one-day games in India. But I think where we land on that, all three of them have had some really good subcontinent exposure of late and have had multiple entries there.”Â
Johnson is the only player who will head to India, having been included for the white-ball portion of the A-tour with the three one-dayers taking place after the South Africa ODI series has finished.
The Zimbabwe ODIs, for the record, take place on September 15, 18 and 20 in Harare. The South Africa series will be held on September 24, 27 and 30 in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom respectively.
Also Read:Â SA vs AUS: Kagiso Rabada Ruled Out Of ODIs, Doubtful For Tests