Australia have announced their ODI squad for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Marnus Labuschagne left out of the 17-member group.
The Australia ODI squad for Zimbabwe and South Africa gives a clear indication that the selectors have started looking towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. Young players such as Oliver Peake, Joel Davies and Cooper Connolly have been included, while some of Australia’s experienced players are also returning.
Labuschagne’s exclusion is perhaps the biggest talking point from the squad announcement. His ODI form has been under pressure for some time, and Australia have now decided to look at other options in the middle order.
Marnus Labuschagne Dropped From Australia’s ODI Squad
Labuschagne has been an important member of Australia’s ODI setup over the last few years and was part of their 2023 ODI World Cup-winning team.
However, his recent numbers have not been impressive. According to Cricket Australia, Labuschagne has averaged just 21.87 across his last 18 ODI innings.
The selectors have now left him out for six ODIs in Africa, which could prove important in deciding Australia’s combination for the 2027 World Cup.
The decision becomes even more interesting because the next ODI World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Therefore, these six matches give Australia an opportunity to test their players in conditions similar to those they will face during the World Cup.
Oliver Peake and Joel Davies Get Another Opportunity
Young batter Oliver Peake has retained his place in the Australian squad along with Joel Davies and Cooper Connolly.
Olliver Peake the youngster has played four ODIs for Australia during the team’s recent matches in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The Australian selectors clearly rate Peake highly and want to give him more exposure at the international level.
Davies, meanwhile, is in line to make his ODI debut. He made his first appearances for Australia during the Bangladesh tour but is yet to play an ODI.
Chief selector George Bailey described the six matches as an important part of Australia’s preparation for the World Cup. He also said the tours would provide another opportunity for Peake and Davies to continue their development.
Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head Return
Australia will also welcome back Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head after the two experienced batters missed the ODI series in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Head and Marsh are expected to return at the top of the order, which means Australia will have to make some changes after experimenting with different opening combinations in their recent ODI assignments.
Connolly, who made 149 in the third ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka, is another player who will be pushing for a place in the batting order.
The presence of Head, Marsh, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey and several young batters gives Australia plenty of options.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc Available Only Against South Africa
Australia have also brought back their experienced fast bowlers for the South African leg of the tour.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will not play the three ODIs against Zimbabwe. Both will join the Australian squad for the three-match series against South Africa.
Josh Hazlewood is part of the touring squad, giving Australia the chance to have their established pace attack available during the South African leg.
Mitchell Marsh will lead Australia during the Zimbabwe series. Cummins will return for the South Africa series, although he has already indicated that he is unlikely to play all three matches.
Australia ODI Squad for Zimbabwe and South Africa
Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins (South Africa only), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc (South Africa only), Adam Zampa.
Australia have selected a strong pace attack for the African conditions. Along with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, the squad contains Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett and Billy Stanlake.
Adam Zampa is the only specialist spinner in the squad.
Australia vs Zimbabwe ODI Series 2026 Schedule
Australia will first travel to Zimbabwe for three ODIs. All three matches will be played at the Harare Sports Club.
| ODI | Date | Venue | Local Time | IST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | September 15, 2026 | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
| 2nd ODI | September 18, 2026 | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
| 3rd ODI | September 20, 2026 | Harare Sports Club, Harare | 9:30 AM | 1:00 PM |
The series will also be Australia’s first ODI visit to Zimbabwe in more than a decade.
Australia vs South Africa ODI Series 2026 Schedule
After completing the Zimbabwe series, Australia will travel to South Africa for another three ODIs.
| ODI | Date | Venue | Local Time | IST |
| 1st ODI | September 24, 2026 | Kingsmead, Durban | 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM |
| 2nd ODI | September 27, 2026 | Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM |
| 3rd ODI | September 30, 2026 | JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom | 1:30 PM | 5:00 PM |
The third ODI in Potchefstroom will be a day-night match.
What Does Labuschagne’s Exclusion Mean for His Test Career?
Labuschagne’s ODI exclusion will naturally create questions about his place in Australia’s Test team as well.
However, Australia’s selectors have previously made it clear that performances and selections in different formats are considered separately.
Labuschagne could still retain his place for the three-Test series against South Africa in October. However, the Test squad has not yet been officially announced.
Therefore, his Test position should not be considered confirmed at this stage.
Australia Begin Serious Preparation for ODI World Cup 2027
These six ODIs could tell us a lot about the direction Australia want to take ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
The tournament will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, making these two series particularly useful for the defending champions.
Australia have brought back experienced players such as Head, Marsh and Hazlewood while also keeping youngsters like Peake, Davies and Connolly in the setup.
The exclusion of Marnus Labuschagne from the Australia ODI squad for Zimbabwe and South Africa is a notable change. Whether it becomes a permanent move ahead of the World Cup will depend on how Australia’s new-look batting combination performs over the coming months.
For Labuschagne, the door may not be completely closed, but he now faces a serious challenge to regain his place in Australia’s ODI plans.
