Latest news with #Labuschagne
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
West Indies vs Australia 1st Test: AUS drop Labuschagne; injured Smith out
In a dramatic twist ahead of the series opener against the West Indies, Australia confirmed that Steve Smith will miss the first Test due to a finger injury, while Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped following a prolonged dip in form. Cricket Australia announced on Friday that Smith, who injured his finger during the World Test Championship (WTC) final loss to South Africa at Lord's, will be reassessed next week and is expected to return for the second Test starting July 3. Chief selector George Bailey revealed that 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas and 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will replace Smith and Labuschagne in the squad. "We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers," said Bailey. Konstas, who impressed with a rapid-fire 60 on debut against India last December, brings raw talent and confidence. Inglis, who scored a century on debut in Sri Lanka, also returns to the red-ball setup with momentum. Labuschagne's form slump forces tough call Despite a solid Test average of 46.19 from 104 innings, Labuschagne hasn't scored a century since the 2023 Ashes and failed to cross 26 in his last four outings. Promoted to open in the WTC final, his scores of 17 and 22 did little to silence critics. "He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects," said Bailey, confirming ongoing work on Labuschagne's game. Australia's Final XI vs West Indies to Be confirmed closer to match day With the first Test scheduled for next Wednesday, Australia's playing XI remains fluid. However, the selection calls signal a clear shift: this is a team ready to experiment, invest in youth, and recalibrate its red-ball identity under pressure. Australia Test squad vs West Indies: 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
India.com
6 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
After defeat in WTC 2025 final, Australia take shocking call, former world number 1 dropped from first Test vs West Indies
After their crushing defeat to South Africa in the World Test Championship final, Australia has made a major change to their squad, dropping a veteran batter and bringing in a young talent as his replacement. Marnus Labuschagne has been axed in the Australian team that will play the first Test against West Indies beginning June 25 in Bridgetown. The move is made after he failed to impress in the final of the WTC 2023-25 played against South Africa, not making a impact on the field, in either of the 2 innings played in this match. His omission represents a major deviation on what Australia will do with red-ball plans in the future. The ex World No.1 Test batsman has been going through a bad patch without runs close to two years. Although he has been a consistent stay in the middle order, Labuschagne has not hit a century since 2023. His inconsistency has lately become a matter of concern with selectors now giving an indication that underperformance will come with dire result. During the World Test Championship final, Labuschagne made only 17 and 22 runs in the first and second innings, respectively, with both innings being taken by the South Africa team, Marco Jansen. The fashion of the dismissals and the failure to set the innings aside were more than enough to impose a serious question mark on his current form and ability to choose shots in pressure situations. Labuschagne is out and in his place, the 19-year-old Sam Konstas has been brought back to the Australian squad, and it could be that he will play with Usman Khawaja as an opener. The reshuffle will also give room to other batters on the line-up to contest a regular place on the playing XI. The fact that Konstas was included portrays the desire of the selectors to back new talent when the veterans are falling short. Labuschagne is out and in his place, the 19-year-old Sam Konstas has been brought back to the Australian squad, and it could be that he will play with Usman Khawaja as an opener. The reshuffle will also give room to other batters on the line-up to contest a regular place on the playing XI. The fact that Konstas was included portrays the desire of the selectors to back new talent when the veterans are falling short. Labuschagne may play the rest of the series even though he has been ruled out of the first Test in case he performs well in training session. Bailey indicated that although Labuschagne is on the reserves at the moment, the situation has left the door open in case he would be needed in the second or third Test depending on his form or team dynamics.
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Australia Opt for Fresh Faces as Smith Suffers Injury, Labuschagne Misses Out
Australia cricket squad changes News: Australia is set to announce an overhauled batting lineup for the forthcoming first Test with the West Indies in Barbados next week after Australia exempted Steve Smith due to injury concerns. Labuschagne dropped Australia was omitted due to his lackluster performances of late. Josh Inglis and Sam Konstas will be part of the Test that begins on June 25, the beginning of the 2027 World Test Championship journey for both teams. The full Australian team and the order of batting will be announced prior to the first delivery. Steve Smith has been ruled out of Steve Smith's participation in the World Test Championship Final due to Steve Smith injury update to his finger. However, recent reports suggest Smith could be able to play enough to play his second test in Grenada which is scheduled to start on July 3rd. After two years of struggle to find the best form in Test cricket Labuschagne was appointed to start the innings during the Lord's Final, but managed just 17 and 22 runs during Australia's loss in the final to South Africa. On Friday morning the Selectors Chair George Bailey confirmed the squad changes. 'Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and see how he is then,' Bailey said. "Josh and Sam have been selected in the team to replace Steve and Marnus," McGrath said. "It's a fantastic opportunity for them to take the next step in their Test careers and we're looking forward to seeing them rise to the challenge." Konstas has impressed in his first couple of Tests, earning plaudits for matching up with world No.1 Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah and also scoring a half-century on Boxing Day in Melbourne, while Inglis scored a Test hundred on debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year. As the pair is in the mix in the Australia team selection 2025, Bailey threw his support for Labuschagne who remains in the team even though he was unable to make the team 'Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He knows his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, wants.
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First Post
6 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Australia drop Marnus Labuschagne after WTC final failure; Steve Smith ruled out of first Test against West Indies
Australian head selector George Bailey said Labuschagne's Test career could be revived if he could rediscover the form that took him to the top of the world batting rankings in 2023. read more Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australian Test after a gap of six years. Image: Reuters Australia have dropped Marnus Labuschagne for next week's first Test against West Indies in Barbados with Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis coming into the batting line-up for the erstwhile opener and Steve Smith, who is injured. Labuschagne opened the batting in the World Test Championship final, contributing scores of 17 and 22 to Australia's cause as the defending champions lost to South Africa by five wickets. Labuschagne dropped due to poor form Smith dislocated his finger while fielding at Lord's, leaving a vacancy at the top of the batting order for the first match in the three-Test series in the Caribbean. 'Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that,' head selector George Bailey said in a Cricket Australia statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD '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.' Both Konstas and Inglis have played two Tests, the former opening the batting against India in Melbourne and Sydney last season and the latter batting in the middle order in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Bailey said Labuschagne's Test career could be revived if he could rediscover the form that took him to the top of the world batting rankings in 2023. '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,' he said. '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.' The batting order for the first Test, which starts next Wednesday, will be determined closer to the game, Cricket Australia said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Australia also face West Indies in Tests in Grenada and Jamaica on the tour.
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Australia drop struggling Labuschagne for first West Indies Test
SYDNEY: Australia on Friday dropped Marnus Labuschagne for the opening match of their three-Test tour of the West Indies after a poor run of form while Steve Smith is out injured. Teenager Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis come into the starting XI for the opening match in Barbados starting on Wednesday. Labuschagne opened the batting in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa last week but managed scores of only 17 and 22 on a challenging Lord's pitch. His last hundred for Australia in Test matches was in July 2023, against England at Manchester. Since then, Labuschagne has averaged 24.7 with the bat, in 16 matches. 'Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team,' chair of selectors 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.' Smith injured his finger while fielding in the slips at Lord's. He left the field and did not return, watching South Africa's winning run chase from the pavilion. Australia coach McDonald backs stuttering Labuschagne '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. The 19-year-old Konstas will earn his third cap for Australia, and his first since January. He made a blistering debut against India in December, blasting 60 from just 65 balls opening the batting and playing a number of audacious scoop shots against Jasprit Bumrah. Konstas managed only 53 runs in his next three innings, but the teenager's raw talent has selectors excited. Inglis will also make his third appearance in Test cricket, having made 102 on debut against Sri Lanka in January. Bailey said the batting order and final team would be determined closer to the first Test.
