Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Australia Recall Marsh and Head, Drop Labuschagne for ODI Tour
Australia picked a team for six one-day cricket matches.
They will first play Zimbabwe and then South Africa.
Marnus Labuschagne was not selected after a difficult period of form.
Captain Mitchell Marsh and batter Travis Head are returning.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is also back in the squad.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will play only in South Africa.
Younger players Joel Davies, Oliver Peake and Cooper Connolly were selected.
The matches will help Australia prepare for the 2027 World Cup.
The World Cup will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Australia named a 17-member squad for six ODIs against Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Marnus Labuschagne was omitted after a difficult or lean run across formats.
Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood return after missing recent ODI assignments.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are included only for the South Africa leg.
The tour begins in Harare on September 15, with the South Africa series starting September 24.
- Who
- Australia’s men’s ODI squad, including returning players Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood, will play Zimbabwe and South Africa.
- What
- Australia announced a 17-member ODI squad, leaving out Marnus Labuschagne and adding or retaining several younger players.
- When
- The Zimbabwe series runs from September 15 to September 20, and the South Africa series runs from September 24 to September 30.
- Where
- The tour begins in Harare, Zimbabwe, and continues in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom, South Africa.
- Why
- Australia is preparing for the 2027 World Cup, while Labuschagne was omitted after a difficult run across formats.
- Squad size
- 17 players
- Zimbabwe series
- Three ODIs in Harare on September 15, 18 and 20
- South Africa series
- Three ODIs in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom on September 24, 27 and 30
- Omitted player
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Returning players
- Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head and Josh Hazlewood
- South Africa-only players
- Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc
- World Cup preparation
- The 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia
