New inclusions as Smith injured, Labuschagne dropped for Australia
Australia will feature a new-look batting line-up for the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados next week, with Steve Smith forced out of the side through injury, and an out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne dropped.
Josh Inglis and Sam Konstas will come in for the pair for the Test that begins on June 25, the first match for both sides in the World Test Championship 2027 cycle.
Steve Smith with a resilient half-century | WTC25 Final
Australia talisman Steve Smith helps his side bounce back from early wickets with a fine half-century in the World Test Championship Final at Lord's.
Smith's finger injury sustained in the World Test Championship Final keeps him out of the team, though there are hopes of a return for the second Test in Grenada from July 3.
After a barren two-year run in Test cricket, Labuschagne was moved to up to open in the Lord's Final, though made just 17 and 22 in the defeat to South Africa.
Chair of Selectors George Bailey confirmed the news of the changes on Friday morning.
'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 began.
'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."
South Africa beat Australia to seize the Ultimate Test | Full Match Highlights | WTC25 Final
Watch the full match highlights as Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada led the way as South Africa bested the defending champions Australia to clinch the World Test Championship mace at Lord's.
The incoming pair have impressed in their early outings, with Konstas turning heads in taking on World No.1 Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah and compiling a half-century on Boxing Day in Melbourne, and Inglis scoring a century on Test debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year.
With the pair given the chance to feature, Bailey also backed Labuschagne who remains a presence in the squad despite making way.
'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.'
Australia Test squad: 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
West Indies Test squad: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales World Test ChampionshipNews
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