Marnus Labuschagne faces unexpected snub as Australia names preliminary squad for the ICC World Cup 2023

Australia cricket team has named an 18-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa and India. It is also a preliminary squad for the ICC World Cup 2023. What caught the attention of many was star batter Marnus Labuschagne have been left out of the team. 

Marnus Labuschagne dropped as Australia names preliminary squad for the ICC World Cup 2023

Australia will be playing South Africa in the 5-ODI series and India in the 3-ODI series in the build-up to the ICC World Cup 2023. Pat Cummins will be captaining the team whereas the uncapped duo of leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and all-rounder Aaron Hardie have also been named in the squad. 

David Warner, Steve Smith, and Travis Head along with wicketkeepers Alex Carey and Josh Inglis will be boosting the batting department whereas Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis are the all-rounders in the team. 

Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood along with Sean Abbott are the frontline pacers in the team whereas Ashton Agar, Sangha and Adam Zampa will bolster the spin bowling department. It was surprising that Cricket Australia didn’t pick Marnus Labuschagne, who has been a regular member of the team in ODIs. 

Marnus Labuschagne has played 30 ODIs and has scored 847 runs at an average of 31.37. Apart from this he also has scored one century and 6 half-centuries in this format. 

Australia’s  preliminary squad for the ICC World Cup 2023

Here’s Australia ODI squad:

Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa