ICC chair plays starring role in WTC video
National
Chairman Jay Shah is a constant figure in the World Test Championship video posted by the ICC.
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News.com.au
14 hours ago
- News.com.au
Aussies swing axe after WTC final disaster with Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis called in for West Indies series
Australian selectors have swung the axe after an embarrassing five-wicket World Test Championship final defeat at the hands of South Africa, with Marnus Labuschagne dropped ahead of the first Test against the West Indies next Thursday (AEST). Steve Smith will also not line up for the Test, after being ruled out with an injury after dislocating his finger in the loss to the Proteas last week. The Australian No.4 took no further part in the game after copping a painful blow on the right little finger while fielding in slips on day three. You can watch the incident in the player above. Meanwhile, Labuschagne's declining form in recent years has seen him dropped. He opened against South Africa and produced a shocker, managing scores of 17 and 22, extending his century drought to almost 24 months. Labuschagne - who in 2021 was ranked the best Test batsman in the world with an average of above 70 - has failed time and time again in recent years, averaging just 27.82 in the two-year Test Championship window that concluded with the final. Australian selection chief George Bailey made the call to axe the 30-year-old a week out from Wednesday's first Test declaring Labuschagne's 'output' hasn't been good enough. 'We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus,' Bailey said on Friday. 'We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers. 'In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition. 'Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects. 'We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. 'We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively.' Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis get chance to shine against the West Indies In their place teen sensation Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis have earned recalls. Inglis' rapid-fire century on his Test debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year reinforced his credentials as a red ball player and he will likely slot into either the No. 3 or No. 4 spot in the line-up with Konstas to open the batting with veteran Usman Khawaja. 'We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus,' Bailey exclaimed speaking about the Australian team to face the West Indies next week. 'We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers. 'In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition.' Konstas was left out of the Sri Lanka series with Travis Head preferred to open in spinning conditions. He was then overlooked for the WTC final, with selectors opting for the veteran Labuschagne. But he will get his chance to impress again at the top of the order against the Windies. Bailey indicated the batting order and final XI would be confirmed closer to first ball, with Inglis' spot in the line up not yet confirmed. But there is a good chance he will move up to No.3 with Cam Green moved to No.4. The first Test at Kensington Oval gets underway at midnight Thursday AEST. Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Labuschagne dropped, Smith to miss first Windies Test
Australia's selectors have made their biggest call in recent memory, dropping Marnus Labuschagne from the top order and replacing him with Sam Konstas. Chief selector George Bailey confirmed on Friday (AEDT) that Labuschagne would miss next week's first Test against the West Indies. Steve Smith will also miss the match as he recovers from his dislocated finger, with medical staff to assess him ahead of the second Test. Josh Inglis will come into the XI, while it's expected Konstas will open. Australia will unveil their batting order and bowling attack closer to the start of the first Test next Wednesday. But it is the decision to drop Labuschagne that will be the biggest talking point since Bailey took over as chief selector in 2021. Labuschagne was the top-ranked Test batter in the world as recently as two years ago, but has averaged just 27.82 for the past 12 months. He was moved from his regular spot at No.3 to open in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa last week, for returns of 17 and 22. "Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects," Bailey said in a statement. "We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. "We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively." Konstas's recall comes after he was left out of the team for Sri Lanka, following the teenager's high-profile start to Test life with a half-century on debut on Boxing Day against India. Selectors opted to go with Travis Head at the top of the order in Galle, given their preference to have him open on spinning wickets. But that move was only ever temporary, leaving the opening spot free for Labuschagne at Lord's last week and now seemingly Konstas in the West Indies. Inglis also impressed with a century on debut in Galle in January, before being squeezed out of the side for the Test Championship final. "Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that," Bailey said. "We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. "We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers. "In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition." The decision to drop the 30-year-old Labuschagne comes after former coach Justin Langer urged officials to keep him in the side this week, with his experience valuable. Usman Khawaja is aged 38 and Smith 36, meaning a transition in the top order looms after David Warner's retirement from Test cricket last year. "He's actually a very, very important link in this chain," Langer said on Monday. "You think about the history of Australian cricket. The best young players come in surrounded by absolute guns. "Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Matthew Hayden. They come in and they're around gun players. "If you just all of a sudden bring a couple of kids in, Cameron Green's still young to the game, and you have to bring another kid in there (to replace Labuschagne)." Australia's selectors have made their biggest call in recent memory, dropping Marnus Labuschagne from the top order and replacing him with Sam Konstas. Chief selector George Bailey confirmed on Friday (AEDT) that Labuschagne would miss next week's first Test against the West Indies. Steve Smith will also miss the match as he recovers from his dislocated finger, with medical staff to assess him ahead of the second Test. Josh Inglis will come into the XI, while it's expected Konstas will open. Australia will unveil their batting order and bowling attack closer to the start of the first Test next Wednesday. But it is the decision to drop Labuschagne that will be the biggest talking point since Bailey took over as chief selector in 2021. Labuschagne was the top-ranked Test batter in the world as recently as two years ago, but has averaged just 27.82 for the past 12 months. He was moved from his regular spot at No.3 to open in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa last week, for returns of 17 and 22. "Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects," Bailey said in a statement. "We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. "We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively." Konstas's recall comes after he was left out of the team for Sri Lanka, following the teenager's high-profile start to Test life with a half-century on debut on Boxing Day against India. Selectors opted to go with Travis Head at the top of the order in Galle, given their preference to have him open on spinning wickets. But that move was only ever temporary, leaving the opening spot free for Labuschagne at Lord's last week and now seemingly Konstas in the West Indies. Inglis also impressed with a century on debut in Galle in January, before being squeezed out of the side for the Test Championship final. "Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that," Bailey said. "We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. "We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers. "In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition." The decision to drop the 30-year-old Labuschagne comes after former coach Justin Langer urged officials to keep him in the side this week, with his experience valuable. Usman Khawaja is aged 38 and Smith 36, meaning a transition in the top order looms after David Warner's retirement from Test cricket last year. "He's actually a very, very important link in this chain," Langer said on Monday. "You think about the history of Australian cricket. The best young players come in surrounded by absolute guns. "Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Matthew Hayden. They come in and they're around gun players. "If you just all of a sudden bring a couple of kids in, Cameron Green's still young to the game, and you have to bring another kid in there (to replace Labuschagne)." Australia's selectors have made their biggest call in recent memory, dropping Marnus Labuschagne from the top order and replacing him with Sam Konstas. Chief selector George Bailey confirmed on Friday (AEDT) that Labuschagne would miss next week's first Test against the West Indies. Steve Smith will also miss the match as he recovers from his dislocated finger, with medical staff to assess him ahead of the second Test. Josh Inglis will come into the XI, while it's expected Konstas will open. Australia will unveil their batting order and bowling attack closer to the start of the first Test next Wednesday. But it is the decision to drop Labuschagne that will be the biggest talking point since Bailey took over as chief selector in 2021. Labuschagne was the top-ranked Test batter in the world as recently as two years ago, but has averaged just 27.82 for the past 12 months. He was moved from his regular spot at No.3 to open in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa last week, for returns of 17 and 22. "Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects," Bailey said in a statement. "We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. "We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively." Konstas's recall comes after he was left out of the team for Sri Lanka, following the teenager's high-profile start to Test life with a half-century on debut on Boxing Day against India. Selectors opted to go with Travis Head at the top of the order in Galle, given their preference to have him open on spinning wickets. But that move was only ever temporary, leaving the opening spot free for Labuschagne at Lord's last week and now seemingly Konstas in the West Indies. Inglis also impressed with a century on debut in Galle in January, before being squeezed out of the side for the Test Championship final. "Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that," Bailey said. "We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. "We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers. "In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition." The decision to drop the 30-year-old Labuschagne comes after former coach Justin Langer urged officials to keep him in the side this week, with his experience valuable. Usman Khawaja is aged 38 and Smith 36, meaning a transition in the top order looms after David Warner's retirement from Test cricket last year. "He's actually a very, very important link in this chain," Langer said on Monday. "You think about the history of Australian cricket. The best young players come in surrounded by absolute guns. "Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Matthew Hayden. They come in and they're around gun players. "If you just all of a sudden bring a couple of kids in, Cameron Green's still young to the game, and you have to bring another kid in there (to replace Labuschagne)."
West Australian
15 hours ago
- West Australian
Australia in West Indies: Marnus Labuschagne dropped for first Test but Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis named
Marnus Labuschagne has been axed from Australia's Test team in a sensational move six days out from the first match against the West Indies. Australian selectors have taken the rare step to reveal two changes to the side almost a week before the start of the series. They have confirmed on Friday morning teenage sensation Sam Konstas and West Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will both return to the team for the first Test in Barbados. Steve Smith has been ruled out of the match with his dislocated finger — but is pushing to be available for the rest of the series — while the poor run of form that has plagued Labuschagne for two years has finally caught up to him. Labuschagne has not posted a Test century since the 2023 Ashes series, which was also the last time he averaged more than 30 in a season. He scored 17 and 22 in Australia's World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa last week. 'Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team,' selection chair George Bailey said. 'He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects. We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. 'We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively.' A final team for the match — which begins next Wednesday — has not been confirmed, but it is likely Konstas will open the batting and Inglis slots into the middle-order, possibly at Smith's vacant No.4 It will be Konstas' third Test for Australia after lighting up the MCG with his cavalier attack on Jasprit Bumrah on Boxing Day, where he ramped, scooped and slashed his way to a remarkable 60 off 65 balls. Inglis made a century in Galle against Sri Lanka in his only Test. 'Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that,' Bailey said. 'We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers. 'In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition.'
