Aussies swing axe after WTC final disaster with Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis called in for West Indies series

News.com.au

6 hours ago

Australian selectors have swung the axe after an embarrassing five-wicket World Test Championship final defeat at the hands of South Africa, with Marnus Labuschagne dropped ahead of the first Test against the West Indies next Thursday (AEST).
Steve Smith will also not line up for the Test, after being ruled out with an injury after dislocating his finger in the loss to the Proteas last week.
The Australian No.4 took no further part in the game after copping a painful blow on the right little finger while fielding in slips on day three.
You can watch the incident in the player above.
Meanwhile, Labuschagne's declining form in recent years has seen him dropped.
He opened against South Africa and produced a shocker, managing scores of 17 and 22, extending his century drought to almost 24 months.
Labuschagne - who in 2021 was ranked the best Test batsman in the world with an average of above 70 - has failed time and time again in recent years, averaging just 27.82 in the two-year Test Championship window that concluded with the final.
Australian selection chief George Bailey made the call to axe the 30-year-old a week out from Wednesday's first Test declaring Labuschagne's 'output' hasn't been good enough.
'We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus,' Bailey said on Friday.
'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.
'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.
'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.'
Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis get chance to shine against the West Indies
In their place teen sensation Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis have earned recalls.
Inglis' rapid-fire century on his Test debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year reinforced his credentials as a red ball player and he will likely slot into either the No. 3 or No. 4 spot in the line-up with Konstas to open the batting with veteran Usman Khawaja.
'We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus,' Bailey exclaimed speaking about the Australian team to face the West Indies next week.
'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.'
Konstas was left out of the Sri Lanka series with Travis Head preferred to open in spinning conditions.
He was then overlooked for the WTC final, with selectors opting for the veteran Labuschagne. But he will get his chance to impress again at the top of the order against the Windies.
Bailey indicated the batting order and final XI would be confirmed closer to first ball, with Inglis' spot in the line up not yet confirmed.
But there is a good chance he will move up to No.3 with Cam Green moved to No.4.
The first Test at Kensington Oval gets underway at midnight Thursday AEST.
Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster