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Labuschagne dropped as Australia confirm XI for Windies
SEN • June 20th, 2025 9:53 am
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the Australia starting XI for the opening Test against the West Indies.
Amid ongoing speculation over Australia’s top order, Labuschagne joins Steve Smith (injured) as the two names who played in the World test Championship Final defeat at Lord’s that will skip the Barbados match.
Josh Inglis and Sam Konstas will come into the starting lineup.
Smith sustained a compound dislocation to his right hand pinkie finger against South Africa on day three at Lord’s, and while the vice-captain will not require surgery, he will sit out but remains in the running for the second Test in Grenada.
“Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we’ll give him another week’s rest and assess his functionality after that,” Chair of Selectors George Bailey said in a statement.
“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.
“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.”
Australian great Jason Gillespie described the upcoming West Indies Test tour as the last chance saloon for Labuschagne.
“It's a difficult question,” Gillespie told SEN Whateley about whether he expects Labuschagne to keep his spot in the XI.
“But over the last two years, he's averaged in the mid-20s and he’s got only one hundred.
“If he does play in the Caribbean, I think it's definitely last chance saloon, there’s no doubt about that.
“I think if he doesn't perform strongly, then I think he's at a real risk of not playing in the Ashes.
“But I suspect either one of Usman or Marnus will miss out in the West Indies. That's my estimation.”
The batting order and final XI will be announced closer to the game which gets started at midnight on June 26.
SEN will be in the West Indies and live streaming every ball of the three Tests.
