Latest news with #SamKonstas
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Australia star dropped in test squad shake-up
Australia has dropped Marnus Labuschagne for the first Test against West Indies in Barbados. Steve Smith will also miss the match due to a dislocated finger sustained while fielding at Lord's. Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis have been brought into the batting line-up to replace Labuschagne and Smith. Labuschagne had recently opened the batting in the World Test Championship final, contributing scores of 17 and 22. Marnus Labuschagne axed by Australia after World Test Championship final defeat
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.
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Marnus axed and young guns in as selectors make bold call
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. Sam Konstas has been named in Australia's Test team. Credit: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images 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.'
The Guardian
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Marnus Labuschagne axed as Sam Konstas returns for Australia in first West Indies 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 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 is expected Konstas will open, but Australia will unveil their batting order and bowling attack closer to the start of the first Test next Wednesday. 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.' Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion 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].'
News.com.au
14 hours ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Vaughn backs Konstas to open for Aussies
Cricket: Fox Cricket's Michael Vaughn joined Fox Sports News to discuss the possibility of young gun Sam Konstas opening for the Aussies in the upcoming Test series against the West Indies.
