Shocker! Australia drop star batter after WTC final defeat against South Africa
Australia's Marnus Labuschagne (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Australia have dropped
Marnus Labuschagne
for the first Test against West Indies, while
Steve Smith
will miss the opener due to a finger injury from the World Test Championship final against South Africa, announced chair of selectors
George Bailey
in Sydney on June 20, 2025.
Labuschagne, who opened against South Africa at Lords, scored just 17 and 22 on a difficult pitch. His form has declined since his last Test century against England at Manchester in July 2023, averaging only 24.7 in 16 matches.
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"Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team," Bailey said. "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."
WV Raman backs Shubman Gill to fire in England: 'He needs the right support'
Smith sustained his injury while fielding in the slips during the World Test Championship final. He left the field and watched South Africa's winning chase from the pavilion.
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"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.
Josh Inglis and Sam Konstas will replace the duo in the starting XI for the opening Test.
The final team composition and batting order will be decided closer to the match.
The first Test of the three-match series begins on Wednesday in Bridgetown.
Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
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