Australia recall Marsh, Head; Labuschagne left out for Zimbabwe, South Africa ODIs

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS) Australia have strengthened their one-day plans ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, recalling several senior players for a six-match tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa later this month.

The reigning world champions will begin with three ODIs against Zimbabwe in Harare from September 15 before travelling to South Africa for another three-match series, starting in Durban on September 24.

With the 2027 World Cup set to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Australia are viewing the tour as an important opportunity to build familiarity with conditions and fine-tune their core group.

Captain Mitchell Marsh and opening partner Travis Head return after missing Australia’s ODI assignments in Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier this year. Josh Hazlewood is also back in the group, while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will join the squad for the South Africa leg ahead of the three-match ICC World Test Championship series against the Proteas in October.

Marnus Labuschagne has been left out following a difficult run across formats. Meanwhile, youngsters Joel Davies and Ollie Peake have retained their places after making encouraging contributions during the earlier ODI campaigns.

“This six-game series is an important lead-in to next year’s World Cup, being played in the same countries, for the group,” selection chief George Bailey said in a statement.

“As such it’s great to have Mitch (Marsh), Travis and Josh returning, then Pat and Mitch (Starc) for the SA leg. This gives us our core of players mixed with some we think will continue to make an impression.

“For Ollie and Joel, who we rate very highly, it’s another fantastic opportunity and a further chance for them to continue their exposure and growth in the Australian team.”

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), Adam Zampa

Australia vs Zimbabwe:

First ODI: September 15, Harare

Second ODI: September 18, Harare

Third ODI: September 20, Harare

Australia vs South Africa:

First ODI: September 24, Durban

Second ODI: September 27, Johannesburg

Third ODI: September 30, Potchefstroom

–IANS

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FIH Men’s Pro League: India lose 4-5 in shootout after 2-2 draw against Australia

Hobart, Feb 22 (IANS) The Indian Men’s Hockey Team narrowly lost 4-5 in a penalty shootout against host Australia in the second game of the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26 here at the Tasmania Hockey Centre on Sunday.

The match was tied at 2-2 after regulation time, with Amit Rohidas scoring at 15’ and Jugraj Singh at 43’ to give India the lead. However, Joel Rintala scored twice at 47’ and 56’ to help Australia level the score.

The hosts dominated possession early on, moving the ball well in their own half. Despite this, India responded with resilient defending and gradually gained confidence, applying pressure on Australia and forcing Jed Snowden to intervene twice. Late in the first quarter, India earned a penalty corner, and Amit Rohidas (15’) successfully scored his drag flick, putting them ahead 1-0.

The second quarter was filled with continuous play, as both teams generated scoring opportunities. Australia made 10 circle penetrations and earned a few penalty corners in the first half while attempting to get back into the match. Meanwhile, India had 9 circle penetrations and posed challenges on counter-attacks. The visitors remained resilient defensively, maintaining their one-goal lead at halftime.

Australia retained possession after the restart, pushing forward to level the score. However, India’s defence stayed strong, stopping them from creating real scoring chances. Their disciplined play paid off when Jugraj Singh scored a powerful drag flick from a penalty corner in the 43rd minute, doubling India’s advantage and ending the third quarter on a high note.

Early in the fourth quarter, the hosts closed the deficit when Joel Rintala (47’) scored from a penalty corner. Maintaining their momentum, Australia earned another penalty corner, continuing their push for an equaliser. However, Yashdeep Siwach made a vital block on the line to thwart their efforts. As time ran out, Australia finally equalised through a set-piece, with Joel Rintala (56’) scoring his second goal of the match from a penalty corner.

Australia relentlessly pursued a winning goal and had several chances to secure the victory. However, Mohith was outstanding in goal, making several excellent saves, including a remarkable double save, that kept India in the match. With the game tied at 2-2 after regulation, it advanced to a shootout to determine the winner.

The shootout was intense, with both teams scoring on their first four penalties. However, Aditya Arjun Lalage’s final penalty was saved by Jed Snowden, securing a hard-fought victory for Australia.

India will next take on Spain in their third game of the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26 on Tuesday.

–IANS

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IPL 2025: Hazlewood likely to be available for RCB in playoffs, says report

New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Josh Hazlewood is reportedly on track to return for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 playoffs after recovering from a shoulder issue during a rehabilitation stint in Australia.

Hazlewood, who missed RCB’s final match before the tournament was paused, returned home during the break and has been training in Brisbane as part of Australia’s preparations for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Hazlewood has responded well to training and is likely to rejoin the RCB squad in India, although an official confirmation is pending. He has been in top form this season, claiming 18 wickets at an average of 17.27 across 10 matches.

RCB, already confirmed for the playoffs, have two league games remaining — against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday and Lucknow Super Giants on May 27 — which will determine their path forward in the playoffs.

This IPL campaign marks Hazlewood’s return to competitive cricket after an injury-plagued home season, where a calf strain in the third Test against India, following a side strain earlier, kept him out of the rest of the summer. He also missed tours to Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy.

Hazlewood is expected to feature in the WTC final against South Africa, likely replacing Scott Boland in the playing XI, after narrowly missing out on the 2023 final against India due to Achilles and side injuries.

Australian players and staff currently in Australia will fly to the UK on May 29, while those involved in the IPL will join after their campaigns end. The IPL final is set for June 3, giving players less than a week to prepare for the WTC final should they remain involved till the end.

Meanwhile, Pat Cummins and Travis Head will complete their IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad by May 25. Mitchell Starc chose not to rejoin Delhi Capitals for the resumed tournament. Other squad members like Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, and reserve Brendan Doggett are currently playing county cricket in England.

–IANS

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