Last Updated on 1 year by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: If Australia picks Marnus Labuschagne in the World Cup squad, who misses out? | Will Australia pick Marnus Labuschagne in the WC?

No one does concussion substitute like Marnus Labuschagne. A little over four years after he took his opportunity in Test cricket as Steve Smith’s substitute at Lord’s, Labuschagne has found a new lease of life in ODI cricket after Cameron Green suffered a nasty blow in the first ODI against South Africa at Bloemfontein.

Coming in to bat with Australia at 103/6 chasing 223 with an average of 31.4 in 28 ODIs, Labuschagne went on to produce two man-of-the-match performances to put himself firmly in the selectors’ radar ahead of the final World Cup squad announcement on September 28.

Should Australia pick Marnus Labuschagne in their final ODI World Cup squad?

The classy right-hander backed up his unbeaten 80 with a swushbuckling 99-ball 124 in Australia’s huge 392/8 in the second ODI. On current form, Labuschagne can be a huge asset in the squad in an intense World Cup. Should there be an injury or loss of form to another player in the top five, Labuschagne can slot in relatively well.

However, the key question is: who misses out?

Here is Australia’s provisional World Cup squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Unless there is an injury, none of the specialist batsmen or bowlers can make way. Namely, these are David Warner, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood. Also, Josh Inglis is the reserve wicket-keeper to Alex Carey, and Ashton Agar has a vital role to play as the second spinner.

So, it will need to be an all-rounder. Cameron Green is highly rated. Mitchell Marsh is in career-best touch. Marcus Stoinis may be left out of the Australia XI at stages in the World Cup, but leaving a player of his impact out of the squad altogether is unfathomable.

And, Glenn Maxwell is Glenn Maxwell.

So, that leaves Sean Abbott. However, he’d (rightly) feel hard done by. The right-arm seamer has been solid for Australia in recent times, but it will be rare for Australia to play three specialist seamers at any stage of a World Cup in India, let alone four.

Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood are ahead of him in the pecking order. Only injuries may see Abbott feature at all. As a result, Australia may wish to bring in Labuschagne as an extra batting option, especially given as they have a few question marks regarding how their middle order will start against spin.

All eyes will be on the remaining three ODIs in South Africa ahead of the September 28 deadline. Will Labuschagne continue his red-hot form?

We shall see.