Marnus Labuschagne Misses Out As Australia Name Squad for Zimbabwe, South Africa ODIs

Marnus Labuschagne will not be part of Australia’s upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe and South Africa. The omission comes at a time when Labuschagne is also waiting for clarity over his future in the Australian Test team.

With Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh now back in the ODI team, there was less room for Labuschagne to get a call in the side. The selectors have also decided to give some younger players a chance, which has left the 30-year-old out of the squad.

The next big decision for Labuschagne could come when Australia pick their Test squad for the South Africa series. The squad is likely to be announced next week.

Meanwhile, Australia could hand Joel Davies his first ODI cap after the New South Wales all-rounder caught the selectors’ attention during the T20I series against Bangladesh earlier this year. Ollie Peake has also kept his place and will get another chance to make his mark.

Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will link up with the team when Australia move to South Africa. Cummins is still the team’s official ODI captain, while Starc will be available for the South Africa matches before joining the Test squad for the three-match series in October.

Australia have also added more pace to their ODI squad by bringing Spencer Johnson and Billy Stanlake back into the team.

Johnson last played an ODI in early 2025, with that being one of only five games he has played in the format. He later returned to Australia’s T20I team during the Bangladesh tour after spending a long period on the sidelines with an injury.

Stanlake was also picked for Australia’s ODI tour of Pakistan. He made his international comeback in Rawalpindi after more than seven years away from the national team. However, he did not take a wicket in his only game during the series.

The three ODIs in South Africa will give Australia’s multi-format players some useful preparation ahead of the Test series. At the same time, the selectors see the six ODI matches in Zimbabwe and South Africa as an important chance to prepare for next year’s World Cup, which will be held across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Australia ODI Squad for Zimbabwe and South Africa Series

Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins (South Africa only), Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc (South Africa only) and Adam Zampa.