DOWN & OUT
Labuschagne averaged only 34.91 in 2023 and it further dropped to 30.93 for 2024. © Getty
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped for the opening Test against West Indies in Barbados that begins on June 25, Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday (June 20). Australia will also not have the services of Steve Smith after the former captain dislocated his finger during the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s recently. The pair will be replaced by Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis in the XI.
Labuschagne has had a lean run in Test cricket for a while now. He averaged only 34.91 in 2023 and it further dropped to 30.93 for 2024. In four Tests so far this year, the 30-year-old has averaged only a shade above 16 and the last straw were the twin failures in the WTC Final as an opener where he made 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,” Selection chair George 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.”
Smith meanwhile has avoided surgery and has travelled with the squad to the West Indies but has been advised to wear a splint for eight weeks. He does stand a chance of playing the second Test beginning on July 3 if the splint doesn’t affect his batting.
Konstas, who impressed on debut in the Boxing Day Test last year against India, is expected to open. Inglis, another player who made quite an impression in his first Test earlier this year by smashing a century in Sri Lanka, will take up the middle order spot left vacant by Smith although Australia are yet to confirm the exact batting positions.
“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.”
© Cricbuzz
