Sydney: Australia have announced their 17-member ODI squad for upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, with selectors making a significant call by leaving out experienced batter Marnus Labuschagne.The squad includes several key players returning to the 50-over side, including captain Mitch Marsh and opener Travis Head, while fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been selected for the South Africa leg of the tour.The six-match tour is being viewed as an important preparation phase for Australia's title defence at the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Labuschagne misses out

The biggest selection talking point is the omission of Marnus Labuschagne, who has been a regular member of Australia's ODI side in recent years.Labuschagne has averaged just 21.87 across his last 18 ODI innings, according to Cricket Australia, and has now been left out of the squad despite being part of Australia's 2023 World Cup-winning campaign.The decision comes less than a year before the next World Cup and could put further pressure on Labuschagne's position in Australia's 50-over plans.However, national selector George Bailey stressed that ODI selection is being considered separately from Test cricket. Labuschagne could still remain in contention for Australia's upcoming Test series in South Africa.

Youngsters retain their places

Australia have continued to invest in younger players, with Oliver Peake and Joel Davies retaining their places after featuring in the team's recent ODI campaigns.Cooper Connolly has also been included, giving Australia's selectors an opportunity to assess the next generation ahead of the 2027 World Cup.Bailey said the six-match African tour would provide valuable exposure because the same countries will host next year's World Cup.The selectors also want the younger players to continue developing within the senior setup before the tournament.

Cummins and Starc to join in South Africa

Australia's ODI captain Pat Cummins has been included but will only feature in the South Africa portion of the tour.Mitchell Starc is similarly listed for the South African matches. Both fast bowlers are expected to use the ODIs as preparation for Australia's three-Test series against South Africa in October.Cummins has played only two ODIs since leading Australia to the 2023 World Cup title, so the South Africa matches will represent an important return to the format.

Mitch Marsh to lead in Zimbabwe

No separate captain has been named in the announced squad.Marsh is expected to lead Australia during the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, with Cummins joining the squad for South Africa. Cummins has previously indicated that he may not play every ODI on the six-match tour because the subsequent Test series remains a priority.The Zimbabwe series will be played in Harare on September 15, 18 and 20.The South Africa ODIs will follow on September 24 in Durban, September 27 in Johannesburg and September 30 in Potchefstroom.

Australia ODI 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) and Adam Zampa.

World Cup preparation begins

The African ODI tour will give Australia six matches in conditions similar to those expected at the 2027 World Cup.For the reigning champions, the immediate focus will be on balancing experience with emerging talent while giving senior players valuable match practice. The omission of Labuschagne also signals that competition for places is already intensifying ahead of the tournament

The achievement makes Kishan only the fourth Indian batter to reach the No.1 position in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings. Before him, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Abhishek Sharma had attained the milestone.

Kishan’s rise comes on the back of a remarkable run in international cricket, particularly during the recent T20 World Cup. The left-handed batter scored 317 runs in the tournament at a strike rate close to 200, emerging as one of India’s most impactful performers. His match-winning display against Pakistan in Colombo, where he earned the Player of the Match award, proved crucial in boosting his rating points.

According to the latest rankings, Kishan now holds 876 rating points. Abhishek Sharma slips to second place, while Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan occupies third position with 848 rating points.

The development underlines India’s growing dominance in T20 cricket, with multiple Indian batters featuring prominently in the global rankings over the last few years. Kishan’s aggressive approach and consistency across major tournaments have helped him establish himself among the leading players in international white-ball cricket.

There were changes in the bowling rankings as well.

Indian bowlers Varun Chakravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah both slipped one place in the ICC Men’s T20I bowling charts. Chakravarthy dropped to third position, while Bumrah moved down to sixth. Afghanistan star Rashid Khan retained his place at the top of the rankings, continuing his long-standing dominance in the format.

The latest update also brought significant movement in the Test rankings.

Australia’s Travis Head climbed to the No.1 position in the ICC Men’s Test batting rankings after a series of strong performances. England’s Joe Root, who previously held the top spot, slipped to third place following the latest revision.

For India, Test captain Shubman Gill gained one position and moved up to sixth in the batting rankings. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, however, dropped one place and is now ranked ninth.

Head’s rise reflects his growing importance in Australia’s batting lineup across conditions and formats. The left-hander has been among the most consistent performers in world cricket over the past year and has delivered several crucial innings in high-pressure matches.

In the Test bowling rankings, Jasprit Bumrah continues to lead the charts despite his drop in the T20I standings. The Indian pace spearhead remains the No.1 ranked Test bowler in the world and maintains a healthy lead over his closest challengers.

New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry occupies second place with 861 rating points, followed by Australia’s Mitchell Starc in third with 838 points. Australian captain Pat Cummins is fourth on the list with 832 points, while South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen rounds off the top five with 825 rating points.

The latest ICC rankings highlight the continued influence of Indian players across formats, with Kishan’s rise to the top of T20I batting and Bumrah’s sustained dominance in Test bowling providing major positives for Indian cricket ahead of a busy international calendar.