Marnus Labuschagne Dropped From Australia Test Squad For New Zealand Series

Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia’s Test squad, with chairman of selectors George Bailey confirming on Monday that the out-of-form batter will miss the entire upcoming series against New Zealand.

Selectors Drop Labuschagne for New Zealand Series

Australia’s next Test begins on 9 December in Perth, but Bailey and his panel made an early call to omit the 32-year-old from the selection mix. Selectors will pick the final squad at the end of round four of the Sheffield Shield.

Labuschagne burst onto the scene with 10 centuries from his first 33 Tests, averaging 59.43 and at one stage was the world’s top-ranked batter. However, a difficult tour of South Africa yielded scores of zero, four, 14, 39, 37, and 37. That performance extended a run of 49 innings without a Test century.

Since returning to the side for last season’s Ashes, Labuschagne managed an average of just 23.66 across 10 Tests, securing a half-century in 16 innings. His century drought dates back to the fourth Test of the 2023 series against England.

Return to Captain Queensland in The Sheffield Shield

The batter will return to leading Queensland in the Sheffield Shield to rebuild his form and confidence. Bailey noted that while a Test recall remains possible for ensuing tours to India and England, domestic run-scoring serves as the clear currency for a return.

Labuschagne was briefly dropped for last year’s tour of the West Indies before battling straight back into the side with two centuries for Queensland. Selectors indicated that while domestic runs matter, he has yet to find the same prolific scoring at Test level again.

Panel Expects to Name 14-Player Squad After Sheffield Shield

The national selection panel expects to name a 14-player squad following the completion of the fourth round of the Sheffield Shield. Several other squad members face varying availability ahead of the opening fixture in Perth.

Steven Smith is expected to face Queensland starting November 22, provided he receives medical clearance from a neck injury that cut short his time in South Africa. Meanwhile, Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will skip domestic red-ball fixtures to rest following recent international limited-overs matches.

Bailey emphasized that no player is ever ruled out permanently. The immediate focus shifts to domestic red-ball action as the national team prepares for the opening Test against New Zealand.

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