Marnus Labuschagne went down! Australia’s head coach has made a big announcement

Marnus Labuschagne will miss Australia’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand, with chief selector George Bailey confirming the out-of-shape batter will not be considered for the opening Test in December. The decision comes after a prolonged lean patch that continued in Australia’s recent assignments against Bangladesh and South Africa.Although Australia have yet to announce their squad for the first Test, Bailey has made it clear that Labuschagne is not currently in their plans for the New Zealand series, which will be played in December and January.“At this stage we will not be considering Marn for selection for the first Test but for the New Zealand series,” Bailey told reporters on Monday.As speculation mounted over the 31-year-old’s position in the side, the chairman of selectors said the decision would also give the batter some clarity as he looks to regain form in domestic cricket.“There’s been a lot of speculation about his place in the team so I think it gives him a bit of space and clears up a bit of conjecture as we work towards the next round of (Sheffield) Shield cricket,” Bailey added.It is the second time in 17 months that Labuschagne has lost his place in Australia’s Test plans. Once a regular at No.3, he has struggled to produce centuries and has gone 49 innings without a single since his last Test hundred during the 2023 Ashes in Manchester.His previous dip in form also cost him a place during Australia’s tour of the West Indies following last year’s World Test Championship final, although he remained part of the squad.Labuschagne subsequently worked his way back into the playing eleven after a strong start to the domestic season. He returned to his preferred No.3 position for the home Ashes and opened with half-centuries in each of the first two Tests. However, his form faded after that and he failed to make a fifty in the last 16 innings.His struggle was particularly evident in the recent assignments against Bangladesh and South Africa. Labuschagne managed just 36 runs at an average of 12 against Bangladesh before scoring 131 runs at 21.83 in South Africa. Australia failed to win a single series, drawing 1–1 against Bangladesh before suffering a 2–1 defeat in South Africa.

Bailey keeps the door open for Labuschagne’s return

Despite confirming Labuschagne would not be considered for the New Zealand series at this stage, Bailey insisted the batsman’s international career was far from over.Australia have a tough Test schedule ahead, with a five-match tour of India following the four Tests against New Zealand. They are also due to play an away Ashes series next year, so Labuschagne will have an opportunity to force his way back into contention.“It’s still possible, absolutely,” Bailey said.“I think we all know how good and how effective Marnus can be at his best. But this performance wasn’t there. I think he missed some opportunities, some promising starts in Darwin (against Bangladesh) and even in South Africa to go on and get the big score that we would have liked and wanted for a while and it just didn’t happen.”Bailey also stressed that Australia had not permanently closed the door on the batter.“But I don’t think we’ve ever banned someone permanently … and it’s no different in this case,” he said.Australia’s squad for the opening Test against New Zealand will be announced after the next round of Sheffield Shield matches, which starts on Wednesday 11 November.