Marnus Labuschagne dropped! Australia chief selector makes big announcement

Marnus Labuschagne is set to miss Australia's upcoming Test series against New Zealand, with chief selector George Bailey confirming that the out-of-form batter will not be considered for the opening Test in December. The decision comes after a prolonged lean patch that has continued through Australia's recent assignments against Bangladesh and South Africa. Although Australia are yet to announce their squad for the first Test, Bailey made it clear that Labuschagne is currently not in their plans for the New Zealand series, which will be played across December and January. "At this stage, we won't be considering Marn for selection for certainly that first Test, but for the New Zealand series," Bailey told reporters on Monday. With speculation mounting over the 31-year-old's position in the side, the selection chair 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 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 [Sheffield] Shield cricket," Bailey added. This is the second time in the last 17 months that Labuschagne has lost his place in Australia's Test plans. Once a regular fixture at No. 3, he has struggled to produce a century, going 49 innings without one since his last Test hundred during the 2023 Ashes in Manchester. His previous dip in form had also cost him his 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 XI after making a strong start to the domestic season. He returned to his preferred No. 3 position for the home Ashes and began with half-centuries in each of the first two Tests. However, his form faded thereafter, and he has not managed a fifty in his last 16 innings. His struggles were 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 either series, drawing 1-1 against Bangladesh before suffering a 2-1 defeat in South Africa. Bailey keeps door open for Labuschagne's return Despite confirming that Labuschagne would not be considered for the New Zealand series at this stage, Bailey insisted that the batter's international career was far from over. Australia have a demanding Test schedule ahead, with a five-match tour of India following the four Tests against New Zealand. They are also scheduled to play an away Ashes series next year, leaving Labuschagne with opportunities 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 that performance hasn't been there. I think he's missed some opportunities, some promising starts in Darwin [against Bangladesh] 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." Bailey also stressed that Australia had not permanently shut the door on the batter. "But I don't think we've ever ruled anyone out permanently…and that'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 gets underway on Wednesday, November 11.