Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia’s squad, while injured star Steve Smith has been ruled out of the opening match of the upcoming three-Test series against the West Indies, Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday.
Smith will miss the first Test due to a finger injury sustained during the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which saw Australia suffer defeat to South Africa at Lord’s last weekend. Though his recovery is progressing, Smith has not yet healed sufficiently to take the field. Cricket Australia anticipates he will be fit in time for the second Test, set to begin on 3 July.
Chief selector George Bailey announced that teenager Sam Konstas and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis would replace Smith and Labuschagne in the squad. Bailey explained that Smith required an additional week for his wound to heal and would be reassessed thereafter.
“We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus,” said Bailey. “We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers.”
Nineteen-year-old Konstas, who has only two Test caps to his name, impressed during last December’s Boxing Day Test against India in Melbourne, scoring a brisk 60 off just over 50 balls. Inglis, 30, has primarily represented Australia in limited-overs formats but left a strong impression during his only Test series to date – against Sri Lanka in February – where he scored a century on debut and displayed considerable promise.
“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,” Bailey noted.
Labuschagne, who boasts an average of 46.19 across 104 Test innings, including 11 centuries and 23 fifties, has struggled for form in recent series. He has not reached three figures since the 2023 Ashes Test in Manchester and has failed to score above 26 in his last four Test innings. Promoted to open in the WTC final against South Africa, Labuschagne had modest starts, dismissed for 17 and 22.
“Marnus, at his best, can be a really important member of this team,” Bailey commented. “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.”
The final playing XI and batting lineup for the first Test will be confirmed closer to the match, which is set to begin next Wednesday.