ICC World Cup 2023: "We Haven't Seen Enough Of..." - George Bailey On Why Marnus Labuschagne Will Miss WC

Former Australia batsman and current Aussie chief selector George Bailey opened up on why Marnus Labuschagne was not included in the squad for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup and said that the player has not performed consistently for his national team which is one of the main reasons why he has been kept out.

Bailey said that Marnus Labuschagne will get to play for Australia A so that the player can focus on white-ball cricket.

Bailey also praised the 29-year-old and said once he is at his best form, Marnus Labuschagne can get back his spot in the 50-over cricket.

“We know Marnus at his best is good enough to hold down a spot in the one-day team, we just haven’t seen enough of it consistently in the role that we’d like him to do. We’ve been really clear with Marnus; he’s going to be part of some Australia A games at the same time so he can focus on some white-ball cricket,” George Bailey said on Marnus Labuschagne.

George Bailey claims Marnus Labuschagne can have an outside chance

The Australian chief selector added that Marnus Labuschagne is a very skillful player and that he will play a role in the 50-over format for the Aussie.

Bailey does not provide any time on when Labuschagne can return to the ODI squad but said that he will surely play a crucial role for Australia in the future.

“Clearly the squad that we’ve got going to South Africa have the front-running for that. But Marnus, the age that he is and the skillset he has, we’ve got no doubt that he’ll play a part in one-day cricket in the future. I couldn’t give you a time on when that will be, but certainly, we know at his best he can play a really important role,” Bailey further added on Marnus Labuschagne.

Australia are going to play three A games in the coming months and since Marnus Labuschagne will be included in the team, he might give a last and final chance to book his spot in the upcoming World Cup squad.

The 29-year-old was recently part of the Australia squad in the five-match Ashes 2023 against England, where he failed to maintain consistency.