Cricket Australia selectors announced a 17-man One-Day International (ODI) squad for the upcoming white-ball matches in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Consequently, the national selection panel left out experienced batter Marnus Labuschagne.
Instead, selectors included young prospects Joel Davies and Ollie Peake. Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh will lead the side during the first part of the tour in Zimbabwe. Subsequently, regular captain Pat Cummins will join the team for the matches in South Africa.
Marnus Labuschagne Misses Selection Following Poor Form
Australia decided to drop Marnus Labuschagne from the ODI lineup after several low scores. The 32-year-old middle-order batter struggled during recent tours of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Labuschagne scored only 24 runs across three matches against Pakistan. Additionally, he managed just one half-century during three matches in Bangladesh.
Labuschagne averages 21.87 over his last 18 ODI innings. Therefore, selectors chose to leave him out to build a stronger side for the next World Cup. However, selection chief George Bailey confirmed that this omission only affects one-day cricket.
Young Talents Joel Davies and Ollie Peake Earn Places
Australia selected younger batters to replace those players. 22-year-old Joel Davies from New South Wales earned his first ODI call-up. Davies previously impressed selectors during his international T20 debut in Bangladesh. During that match, he took three wickets for 17 runs with his left-arm spin. Consequently, he now has a chance to play his first ODI match.
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia’s ODI squad for the series in Zimbabwe and South Africa https://t.co/DpzmftDyOS pic.twitter.com/uGloznoyzv
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) September 1, 2026
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Victorian batter Ollie Peake kept his place in the squad. Peake debuted for Australia in May during the Pakistan tour. He played four matches on the subcontinental tours. Selector George Bailey praised both young players for their growth and potential.
Additionally, Cooper Connolly remains in the squad after his strong performances. Connolly scored an impressive 149 runs in the third ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka. Currently, Connolly offers a second left-arm spin option for the team.
Squad Exclusions and Returning Stars
Alongside Labuschagne, four other players missed selection from the recent tours. Specifically, the players who missed the tour include Matt Short, Ben Dwarshuis, Todd Murphy, and Liam Scott. Additionally, selectors left out left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann. Therefore, Adam Zampa remains the only specialist spinner in the 17-man group.
However, several key players return to the lineup. Specifically, Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh will open the batting again. They missed the previous tours in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Furthermore, star bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins will rejoin the team. Specifically, they will only play the three matches in South Africa.
Australia picked a strong fast-bowling group for the African pitches. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will play in both series. Additionally, Spencer Johnson returns after recovering from a long injury. Meanwhile, Billy Stanlake also earned a spot, ending his long wait for an international return.
The young guns hold their spots in the Aussie men’s ODI squad to take on Zimbabwe and South Africa, but there’s a key omission too: https://t.co/uEsR8VkbhV pic.twitter.com/P9vOUuOGeQ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 31, 2026
Who Will Captain the ODI and T20 Sides
Mitchell Marsh will captain the side during the Zimbabwe matches. On the other hand, Pat Cummins will share the leadership duties in South Africa. Cummins has played only two ODI matches since the 2023 World Cup. However, Bailey believes Australia possesses excellent leadership depth.
Full 17-Man Australian ODI Squad: Mitchell Marsh (Captain for the Zimbabwe leg), Pat Cummins (Captain, South Africa leg only), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver (Ollie) Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc (South Africa leg only) Adam Zampa
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