Questions are being asked about why Sam Konstas was sent home from Sri Lanka and didn’t play in the ODI series, with many calling for him to be parachuted into Australia’s squad for the Champions Trophy. The Aussies slumped to an embarrassing new low on Friday night, losing the second ODI by 174 runs and the series 2-0.

Australia were bowled out for just 107 in 24.2 overs after Sri Lanka batted first and made 282. It marked Australia’s heaviest ODI defeat against Sri Lanka ever, and their lowest total in Asia. It was also the first time they’ve been swept in an ODI series against Sri Lanka.

The Aussies did avoid making their lowest one-day score against Sri Lanka – 74 at the Gabba in 2013. But it was easily their lowest one-day score in Sri Lanka, going under the 124 they made at the SSC Ground in Colombo in 1983.

Even more embarrassing for Australia is the fact Sri Lanka haven’t qualified as one of the eight teams playing in the Champions Trophy. They’re currently ranked sixth in the world in ODIs, but were outside the top eight when qualifying for the Champions Trophy finished.

Australia’s misfiring batters under heavy fire

Serious questions are now being asked about Australia’s chances at the Champions Trophy, and the squad picked by selectors. Matt Short (2) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (9) failed again, and surely can’t be included in Australia’s best XI in Pakistan.

Glenn Maxwell also continued a horror run of form in ODI cricket, bamboozled by a sensational ball from Dunith Wellalage to be bowled for 1. Since making a stunning double century at the World Cup against Afghanistan in 2023, Maxwell has produced a run of scores of 1, 2 not out, 7, 30, 2, 0, 16, 0 and 1.

The shocking scenes on Friday night renewed calls for Konstas to be flown to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. The 19-year-old has only played two 50-over games in his young career, but made 126 for NSW against Queensland this week.

Unfortunately for fans, the only way Konstas will get a game in Pakistan is if the Aussies are decimated by injuries. A player can only be replaced in the squad if they’re injured, and Cooper Connolly is the travelling reserve next in line.

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But serious questions are being asked about why Konstas was sent home from Sri Lanka to prepare for the World Test Championship when it’s still four months away. Australian selectors have stuck with players like Short and Fraser-McGurk based on T20 form, even though their records in 50-over cricket is abysmal.

Fraser-McGurk’s average in ODIs is now 14, and in all 50-over cricket it’s 26. How is that good enough to play for Australia? Short’s average in ODIs is 17.90, and 32 in all 50-over cricket.

Yet guys like Matt Renshaw and Nathan McSweeney can’t seem to get a look-in. Renshaw averages 40.67 in 50-over cricket, yet doesn’t seem to be on the radar for ODI selection at all. McSweeney averages 41.57 and is viewed as a future leader of Australia, so why isn’t he in the ODI squad?

Connolly has only played nine 50-over games in his career for an average of 16.71, yet somehow that’s good enough to represent Australia. Maybe it’s time for selectors to stop using T20 form to pick ODI squads and go back to picking players who can bat more than a few overs.