Labuschagne in Oz ODI squad for India tour

Melbourne, December 17

In-form batsman Marnus Labuschagne earned a maiden call-up to the Australian ODI squad for the three-match series against India next month following a prolific year in Test cricket. Labuschagne has averaged 58.05 since making his Test debut last year, scoring hundreds in his last three games. All-rounder Sean Abbott has been recalled after five years while also making a comeback are pacer Josh Hazlewood and spinner Ashton Agar. The big names missing from the squad are Glenn Maxwell, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Nathan Lyon.

Chief selector Trevor Hohns said Maxwell, who took a break to address his mental health issues but is back now in domestic cricket, is being watched closely. The Indian fans will also get to see Australia’s star players — David Warner and Steve Smith — in action.

The first ODI will be played in Mumbai on January 14, followed by Rajkot (January 17) and Bengaluru (January 19). Hohns is confident that Labuschagne will come good in challenging Indian conditions. Head coach Justin Langer will not be travelling to India for the short tour with assistant coach Andew McDonald taking charge.

Squad: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, David Warner, Adam Zampa. — PTI