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Cricket News: Is Marnus Labuschagne in Australia’s final World Cup squad? | Australia confirm final World Cup squad

Marnus Labuschagne has been named in Australia’s final World Cup squad. The classy batsman has replaced Ashton Agar, who will miss the tournament due to a troublesome calf injury.

Also, Australia have picked Travis Head. Such has been Head’s impact in ODIs over the past year-and-a-half, the Australian selectors have faith that he can deliver when he eventually returns from his fractured hand injury at around the midway point of the World Cup.

Australia’s final World Cup squad: Marnus Labuschagne selected

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

Labuschagne’s excellent run of form since the start of the South Africa series has won him a place. He has scored 421 runs at an average of 60.1 and strike rate of 97.7 in this period.

Indeed, Labuschagne’s form has been a positive in what has been a tricky little period for Australia. Injuries and lack of form hampered Australia in a run of five straight defeats, but the return of Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc to fitness is a big boost.

After their welcome win in the third ODI against India, the Australians will play two warm up games – one against Netherlands on Saturday, followed by Pakistan on Tuesday.

Then, it’s all eyes on Chennai on October 8 for the huge showdown against the Indians once again, where Australia will be aiming to make the perfect start in the quest for a sixth ODI World Cup title.