MELBOURNE : Australia have dropped Marnus Labuschagne from their squad for next month’s four-test home series against New Zealand following a prolonged slump in form, chief selector George Bailey said on Monday.
The 32-year-old former world number one test batter has gone 49 innings without scoring a century and endured another disappointing tour of South Africa, managing scores of zero and four in the final test as Australia lost the match and series 2-1.
“At this stage we won’t be considering Marnus for selection for certainly that first test, but for the New Zealand series,” Bailey told reporters.
“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.”
Labuschagne has averaged 23.66 and scored only two half-centuries in 10 tests since being dropped for Australia’s three-test series in the Caribbean against West Indies last year.
He will return to captain Queensland in the Sheffield Shield as selectors assess potential replacements, but Bailey said the batter could still earn a recall for Australia’s tours of India and England next year.
“It’s still possible, absolutely,” Bailey said. “And I think we all know how good and how effective Marnus can be at his best. But that performance hasn’t been there.”
Labuschagne’s omission adds to the uncertainty surrounding Australia’s top order, which has undergone repeated changes since opener David Warner retired nearly three years ago.
Steve Smith, expected to return for the first test against New Zealand in Perth on December 9 after missing the final South Africa test with a neck injury, could move up to number three. However, he has been reluctant to leave his preferred number four position following an unsuccessful stint as an opener.
All-rounder Cameron Green is another option at number three, while Matt Renshaw could also come into contention, although his selection would require another opener to be brought into the side.
Australia will finalise their squad after the next round of Sheffield Shield matches, which begins on Wednesday.
Former test batters Kurtis Patterson and Sam Konstas are among the leading performers in the top order during the early stages of the domestic season.
