Australian chief selector George Bailey has confirmed that Marnus Labuschagne has been axed for the forthcoming four-match Test series against New Zealand after the right-hander managed only 131 runs in four innings on the recent South African tour.
While the four-match Test series will commence on December 9, Australia have decided to make an early call on Labuschagne. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Bailey confirmed that the selection committee wouldn’t be considering the No.3 batter.
“At this stage we won’t be considering Marn (Labuschagne) for selection for certainly that first Test, but for the New Zealand series,” Bailey said on Monday.
“There’s been a lot of speculation around his place in the team, and so I think this gives him a little bit of space and clears up a bit of conjecture as we work through the next round of Shield cricket,” he added.
Australia are currently third in the World Test Championship standings and will be eager to secure a series of positive results against New Zealand to strengthen their chances of qualifying for next year’s final at The Oval in June.
Meanwhile, Bailey indicated that Labuschagne remains in contention for a Test comeback in the future, particularly with challenging tours of India and England scheduled during a busy 2027 Test calendar.
“It’s still possible, absolutely,” Bailey added.
“And I think we all know how good and how effective Marnus can be at his best. But that performance hasn’t been there.
“I think he’s missed some opportunities, some promising starts in Darwin and even in South Africa as well, to go on and get a big score that we’d like and would have liked for some time, and that just hasn’t happened.
“But I don’t think we’ve ever ruled anyone out permanently … and that’s no different in this case.”
AUS vs NZ Test series schedule:
First Test: December 9-13, Perth
Second Test: December 17-21, Adelaide
Third Test: December 26-30, Melbourne
Fourth Test: January 4-8, Sydney
