'White ball cricket is not your cup of tea Marnus' - Fans react as Australia drop Marnus Labuschagne from preliminary squad for ODI World Cup 2023

Marnus Labuschagne's ODI World Cup dream has been dashed after the No. 3 batter failed to make Australia's preliminary squad for the mega event, which gets underway in India on October 5. Cricket Australia announced a 19-man squad on Monday (August 7) that will be reduced to 15 after the bilateral ODI series against South Africa and the tour of India.

The omission of former world No. 1 Test batter Labuschagne came as a surprise to everyone, but given his recent form, Australia seem to have made the right decision. He was part of the ODI team in the recent tour of India but managed to score only 43 runs in two matches. The 29-year-old also had an inconsistent outing in the recently concluded five-match Ashes series against England.

Australia hope Pat Cummins will recover before ODI series against South Africa

Pat Cummins, who fractured his left wrist during the fifth Ashes Test, has been chosen to lead a side that includes uncapped India-origin leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and Western Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie. Cricket Australia chief selector George Bailey has confirmed that Cummins will miss the three-match T20I series against the Proteas. However, he is expected to join the squad for the ODI series, a crucial preparation for the 2023 World Cup.

“Pat injured his left wrist diving in the field on the first day at The Oval. He has an undisplaced fracture of his left radius which requires six weeks rehabilitation," Bailey said in a statement.

“We expect him to join the squad during the South African ODI Series. We view a period of enforced rest for Pat as a positive ahead of this important World Cup campaign. There are still a number of games he could play before the World Cup which is more than enough for him to have a strong preparation," he added.

Australia’s 18-man preliminary 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

Here's how fans reacted to Australia dropping Marnus Labuschagne from the preliminary squad for the ODI World Cup 2023: 

He is more of a test player so its the right decision

— KhabriBhai (@RealKhabriBhai) August 7, 2023

Happy ODI retirement marnus. Play only test. Bcz white ball cricket is not your cup of coffee 😆😉 @marnus3cricket

— Subodh Chavan (@subc77777) August 7, 2023

Australia is Beast for a reason they Don't want Hype one player too much 💀

— Rebel Sam (@ROHITKU67268135) August 7, 2023

He's anyways a home track bully so good job by the selectors

— LastOver BeforeDrinks (@LastoverB) August 7, 2023

He didnt perform He gets dropped but Here in India player wont be dropped even after failing for 25 matches because he performed well in some other format so he can be x factor acc. To biased cricket experts So they will continue with him till the world cup nd rest is history

— Lalit Thakur (@lalitthakur41) August 7, 2023

Do India has guts to drop player like marnus. Team will be picked what player has done in the past rather than recent times.

— Prasunjha (@Prasunj90898109) August 7, 2023

Australia have this culture of taking bold decisions. They don’t care about reputations.

— Mukul Sharma (@Mukul_SkuD) August 7, 2023

Good decision. He should just stick to Test cricket like Pujara and not ruin his career by playing white ball

— NIKHIL (@nikhil_nsu) August 7, 2023

Omg🤔 Cummins bhi doubtful hai. Injured hai and now Marnus.
What's going on.
💯

— Satya P Singh(spbtctrade) (@spsinghweb) August 7, 2023

Australia has low tolerance for underperformance.

They are always focused on winning.

— Dr Nikhil Jain | SEBI RA (@iamMarketWiz) August 7, 2023

yes he has became defensive like pujara

— Sahil Singh Bhatia (@sahilsingh333) August 7, 2023