Marnus dumped! Ex-Test batter rewarded, quick confirms Ashes prep as Aussie white-ball squads named

Mitchell Starc is set to tune up for the Ashes by returning to national colours, while Marnus Labuschagne has been dumped as squads for Australia’s ODI and T20 series against India beginning later this month have been announced.

Australian selectors announced a 15-player ODI squad, led by Mitchell Marsh in the absence of Pat Cummins, who continues to manage a back issue, with Starc headlining the four changes from the squad that was beaten 2-1 by South Africa in Cairns and Mackay in August.

The left-arm quick, who recently retired from T20Is, has not played an ODI since last November, and he is joined as an inclusion by former Test opener Matt Renshaw, BBL breakout star Mitchell Owen and powerful all-rounder Matthew Short.

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Labuschagne makes way following a lean run with the bat, the Queensland captain has started the summer with centuries against both the white and red ball for his state, but was dismissed for 1 and 1 in two innings against South Africa after being axed from the Test side.

His downturn stretches far beyond that series, however, scoring just one half-century and averaging 21.9 since his crucial 58 not out in the 2023 World Cup final victory.

All-rounder Aaron Hardie and spinner Matt Kuhnemann are the other exclusions from the squad.

Renshaw is in the frame for an ODI debut, having been sensational for Queensland and Australia A in the 50-over format.

The 29-year-old, who has played 14 Tests, struck 305 one-day runs at 50 in the middle-order for Queensland last season and smashed 80, 106 and 62 for Australia A against Sri Lanka A in the top end in July.

Owen and Short were both initially named in the squad for the South Africa series but were withdrawn with concussion and a side strain respectively.

Owen, who rose to prominence with his stunning BBL campaign for the Hobart Hurricanes, smashed a 48-ball century for Tasmania against South Australia last season to replicate his T20 heroics.

Selectors no doubt have an eye towards the 2027 World Cup by selecting the trio of batters after the retirements of Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis earlier this year.

Meanwhile, there are just two changes to the T20 squad that won the Chappell Hadlee Trophy 2-0 against New Zealand last week with Josh Inglis returning in place of Test gloveman Alex Carey as he recovered from a calf injury.

Seamer Nathan Ellis also returns after missing the New Zealand series due to the birth of his first child, with wicketkeeper batter Josh Philippe, who was a late call up following Maxwell’s injury, omitted.

Maxwell remains sideline and is working towards a return for the start of the BBL in December to be ready for February’s T20 World Cup.

Cameron Green will again sit out the T20s, as he did across the Tasman, as part of his preparation for the Ashes.

The all-rounder, who blasted his maiden ODI ton against the South Africans and returned to bowling in the Sheffield Shield in recent days, will play the ODIs, however.

Among other likely members of the XI for the first Test in Perth, Carey is in the ODI squad, while Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head have been named in both squads.

Although, selection chair George Bailey only named a squad for the first two T20Is as there will be rotation during the back end of the five-match series.

“We have named a squad for the first two games of the T20 series as there will be some management through the back end of the series as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket,” Bailey said.

“The majority of the T20 squad will remain together as it’s an important period in the build towards the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test series ahead.”

ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

T20I squad (first two games): Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Australia v India ODIs 2025

October 19: First ODI v India, Perth Stadium, Perth, 2:30pm AEDT

October 23: Second ODI v India, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 2:30pm AEDT

October 25: Third ODI v India, SCG, Sydney, 2:30pm AEDT

Australia v India T20Is 2025

October 29: First T20I v India, Manuka Oval, Canberra, 7:15pm AEDT

October 31: Second T20I v India, MCG, Melbourne, 7:15pm AEDT

November 2: Third T20I v India, Bellerive Oval, Hobart, 7:15pm AEDT

November 6: Fourth T20I v India, Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast, 7:15pm AEDT

November 8: Fifth T20I v India, The Gabba, Brisbane, 7:15pm AEDT

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