Marnus Labuschagne named Queensland captain in One-Day Cup after ODI axe
Synopsis
Dropped from Australia's ODI squad for the African tour, Marnus Labuschagne has been handed the Queensland captaincy in the One-Day Cup — a domestic reset for a batter who hasn't scored a Test century since 2023 and averages just 25.43 since the Ashes. With Ricky Ponting publicly questioning his place and two high-profile domestic games before the South Africa Tests, the next fortnight could define Labuschagne's international future.
Key Takeaways
Marnus Labuschagne named Queensland captain for the One-Day Cup after being dropped from Australia's ODI squad for the Zimbabwe and South Africa ODI series.
He leads Queensland against Victoria on Saturday and New South Wales the following Monday.
Labuschagne retains his place in Australia's Test squad for the South Africa series despite the ODI axe.
His last international century was more than three years ago; he has not scored a Test century since the 2023 Ashes .
Labuschagne has averaged 25.43 in Test cricket since the 2023 Ashes .
Former captain Ricky Ponting has publicly questioned Labuschagne's place in the Test side.
Marnus Labuschagne has been appointed captain of Queensland for the One-Day Cup after being dropped from Australia's ODI squad for the upcoming African tour, signalling a significant moment in the senior batter's turbulent run of form. The appointment, confirmed on 17 September 2026, offers Labuschagne a platform to rebuild his batting credentials at the domestic level before the Test series against South Africa.
The Fixtures and the Context
Labuschagne will lead Queensland in their One-Day Cup clash against Victoria on Saturday and then against New South Wales the following Monday. Both games are scheduled before the Test-bound Australian players depart for the South Africa Tests. Notably, while he was axed from the ODI squad for the Zimbabwe and South Africa ODI series, Labuschagne has retained his place in the Test squad for the Proteas series — underscoring the selectors' lingering faith, even as pressure mounts.
A Form Crisis Years in the Making
The Queensland captaincy appointment comes against the backdrop of one of the most prolonged lean patches of Labuschagne's international career. His last international century dates back more than three years, and he has not struck a Test century since the 2023 Ashes. Since that series, he has averaged a modest 25.43 in Test cricket — a stark contrast to the dominant batter who rose to become the world's top-ranked Test batter at his peak.
His Test career was famously launched via a concussion-substitute innings of 59 against England in 2019, after which he quickly became one of Australia's most reliable middle-order anchors. The decline, therefore, has been particularly stark for those who watched his rise.
Ponting's Public Scrutiny and Labuschagne's Response
The scrutiny around Labuschagne's Test spot has intensified, with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting publicly questioning his place in the side. Labuschagne, however, has been candid about the pressure. Speaking to 7News, he said: 'Criticism, you bring (that) on yourself as a player because that's performance-based. I'm not getting criticised because of me as a person; they are criticising my performance, which in the last two years I have let happen. People that know me know that every single part of me is doing everything I can to get back to what my best looks like.'
In a separate exchange with Code Sports, Labuschagne stood firm on his credentials for the pivotal No. 3 batting position. 'I still think I am the best person to bat at No. 3 for Australia. But if someone else offers a different opinion, that's up to them. That's their point of view,' he said.
What the Captaincy Signals
Appointing Labuschagne as One-Day Cup skipper may be as much a confidence-building exercise as a cricketing decision. Leading a side demands tactical focus and personal accountability — two elements that could help him rediscover rhythm ahead of a demanding Test tour. This is not the first time Australian selectors have used domestic leadership as a reset mechanism for a senior player under pressure. Whether it translates into runs — and ultimately secures his Test place — will be answered in the coming weeks.
Point of View
Yet he remains in the Test squad. That selectors have persisted this long suggests either a lack of a ready-made No. 3 alternative or a calculated bet that class — however dormant — will resurface under pressure. Two domestic games before a high-stakes South Africa tour is a thin margin for redemption, and Australian cricket's patience, already tested publicly by Ponting, may be approaching its limit.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Marnus Labuschagne dropped from Australia's ODI squad?
Labuschagne was dropped from the ODI squad for the Zimbabwe and South Africa ODI series due to a prolonged slump in form. He has not scored an international century in more than three years and has averaged just 25.43 in Test cricket since the 2023 Ashes.
Has Labuschagne been dropped from the Test squad as well?
No. Despite losing his ODI spot, Labuschagne has retained his place in Australia's Test squad for the South Africa series. Selectors appear to be using the domestic One-Day Cup games as a form-rebuilding exercise ahead of the Tests.
What matches will Labuschagne captain Queensland in?
Labuschagne will captain Queensland against Victoria on Saturday and against New South Wales the following Monday, before the Test-bound players depart for South Africa.
What has Ricky Ponting said about Labuschagne's Test place?
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has publicly questioned Labuschagne's place in the Test side, reflecting broader concern about his prolonged loss of form across formats.
What has Labuschagne himself said about the criticism?
Labuschagne has acknowledged the criticism, telling 7News that it is performance-based and that he takes responsibility for his form over the past two years. He also told Code Sports that he still believes he is the best person to bat at No. 3 for Australia.
