Australia drops Labuschagne from New Zealand Test squad

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 07:54 · Archive

Australia has dropped batter Marnus Labuschagne from its four-Test series against New Zealand beginning in December.

Australia's chairman of selectors George Bailey has confirmed that Marnus Labuschagne will be omitted from the four-Test series against New Zealand, which begins on 9 December in Perth. The decision comes after an extended poor run of form that has seen the batter struggle to find consistency at Test level.

Labuschagne has averaged only 23.66 in 10 Tests since the Ashes last winter and scored just 131 runs across three Tests in Australia's recent 2-1 series defeat in South Africa, averaging 21.83. He has not scored a Test century in 49 innings, a run stretching back to the 2023 Ashes series in England. At 32 years old, he faces a significant challenge to restore his place in the team.

Bailey told reporters that the early decision was made to give Labuschagne "a little bit of space and clears up a bit of conjecture" about his position. The chairman said there is "no message to go back and do anything in particular", suggesting the batter simply needs to prove himself through domestic cricket.

However, Bailey did not rule out a recall for subsequent tours. He said it remains "still possible" that Labuschagne could be selected for the upcoming tours to India and England, noting that "he's always been an incredible performer at first-class level".

Labuschagne's fall from grace is stark. He burst onto the Test scene with 10 centuries from his first 33 Tests, when he averaged 59.43 and briefly ranked as the world's top-rated batter. The South Africa tour proved particularly troubling, with scores of zero, four, 14, 39, 37 and 37 across the series. He was previously dropped for a West Indies tour last year but fought his way back into the side with two centuries for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield.

How it is being reported

• Australia drop Labuschagne for New Zealand Test seriesAustralia have dropped Marnus Labuschagne for the four-Test series at home to New Zealand.Sky Sports · 9 Nov, 03:30
• Australia selectors make early call to axe Marnus Labuschagne from Test squadUnder-fire batter will not feature in upcoming New Zealand series ‘Still possible’ he will be recalled for tours to India and England Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia’s Test squad. Chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed on Monday that Labuschagne would be omitted from Australia’s yet-to-be-named squad for the first Test against New Zealand. Australia’s next Test begins on 9 December in Perth, but Bailey and his panel have made an early call to put Labuschagne out of his misery. Bailey told reporters the out-of-form star wouldn’t be considered for the entire four-Test…Guardian Sport · 9 Nov, 01:05
• Labuschagne axed from Aussie squad for New Zealand TestsAustralia's chairman of selectors confirms the omission of Marnus Labuschagne after an extended lean run of form at the Test level.ABC News Australia · 9 Nov, 00:51

In this story: Marnus Labuschagne · George Bailey · Australia · New Zealand · South Africa · Perth · India · England

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