New inclusions as Smith injured, Labuschagne dropped for Australia
Australia will feature a new-look batting line-up for the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados next week, with Steve Smith forced out of the side through injury, and an out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne dropped.
Josh Inglis and Sam Konstas will come in for the pair for the Test that begins on June 25, the first match for both sides in the World Test Championship 2027 cycle.
Steve Smith with a resilient half-century | WTC25 Final
Australia talisman Steve Smith helps his side bounce back from early wickets with a fine half-century in the World Test Championship Final at Lord's.
Smith's finger injury sustained in the World Test Championship Final keeps him out of the team, though there are hopes of a return for the second Test in Grenada from July 3.
After a barren two-year run in Test cricket, Labuschagne was moved to up to open in the Lord's Final, though made just 17 and 22 in the defeat to South Africa.
Chair of Selectors George Bailey confirmed the news of the changes on Friday morning.
'Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that," Bailey began.
'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."
South Africa beat Australia to seize the Ultimate Test | Full Match Highlights | WTC25 Final
Watch the full match highlights as Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada led the way as South Africa bested the defending champions Australia to clinch the World Test Championship mace at Lord's.
The incoming pair have impressed in their early outings, with Konstas turning heads in taking on World No.1 Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah and compiling a half-century on Boxing Day in Melbourne, and Inglis scoring a century on Test debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year.
With the pair given the chance to feature, Bailey also backed Labuschagne who remains a presence in the squad despite making way.
'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.'
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
West Indies Test squad: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales World Test ChampionshipNews
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Int'l Cricket Council
15 hours ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Zimbabwe opener ruled out of Bulawayo Test due to concussion
After South Africa made the most of the first innings, scoring 418/9 in 90 overs before declaring, Zimbabwe had a tough start losing Takudzwanashe Kaitano (0) and Nick Welch (4) in no time. With Bennett's departure, the side was in deep trouble, however experienced hands Sean Williams (45) and Craig Ervine (24) got the side to 94/2 at Lunch. In the first innings, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch scored tons to guide South Africa past 400 after a shaky start. Bennett had starred for Zimbabwe during their Test against England last month, having scored a stellar 139 in the first innings in Nottingham. He had also featured in the warm-up fixture between Zimbabwe and South Africa ahead of the World Test Championship Final.
Int'l Cricket Council
2 days ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Cummins hails match-winners as Australia get going in WTC27 ICC World Test Championship
In a match that ebbed and flowed, it was Australia who emerged victorious against West Indies in the opening Test of the three-match series in Bridgetown. While the win may not erase the heartbreak of Lord's just two weeks ago, it marks a positive start to their World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with their first points now on the board. There was little to separate the sides after the first two innings – just 10 runs, in fact. Jayden Seales' five-wicket haul helped bowl Australia out for 180, before a disciplined all-round effort from the Australian bowlers restricted West Indies to 190, giving the hosts a slender lead. Australia found themselves in trouble at 65/4 after another top-order collapse, but the middle-order trio of Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey steadied the ship with crucial half-centuries. Head and Webster put together a 102-run stand, with Head playing the aggressor. After Head's dismissal, Carey took charge, highlighted by two brilliant straight sixes off Seales and Justin Greaves. "I thought those three were brilliant," Australia skipper Pat Cummins said at the post-match press conference. "They kept the scoreboard ticking over. I thought they took really good options. They were always looking to score. 'Really, that was the difference. [You are] turning up today thinking that if we didn't get a big lead it was 50-50, really. Those guys took the game away from West Indies." Cummins was particularly impressed by Beau Webster, who, despite having played just five Tests, has already built a reputation for digging Australia out of tough spots with grit and composure on challenging surfaces. On debut against India, the 31-year-old made an instant impact, scoring a half-century on a spicy Sydney pitch in the first innings and following it up with a brisk unbeaten 39 in their victorious chase. In the World Test Championship Final against South Africa, Webster stood tall with a counter-attacking 72 off 92 balls, the top score in Australia's first-innings total of 212. Against West Indies, he once again proved pivotal, anchoring two key partnerships in the second innings with a composed 63 off 120 balls that turned the tide in Australia's favour. He also made an impact with the ball, claiming two wickets in the first innings. Beau Webster helps Australia's cause with half-century | Player Highlights | WTC25 Final Beau Webster marked his first Lord's Test with a half century in the World Test Championship Final. "I think it's pretty much the same as what he does for Tasmania," Cummins said on Webster. "He seems to always contribute in some way. He's kind of knocked down the door with his performances over the years in Shield cricket. It's great when you've got someone like that coming to the team. 'They know their craft so well and you saw that today, even on a tricky wicket, he knew where his areas to score were. He's been a fantastic asset to the team over the last six months." After setting West Indies a target of 301, Australia needed just one session and under 34 overs to seal the win, dismantling the hosts for 141. Leading the charge was the ever-reliable Josh Hazlewood, who delivered a brilliant five-wicket haul to cap off the dominant performance. Hazlewood cleans up Stubbs with a jaffa | WTC25 Final Josh Hazlewood also got himself among the wickets by nipping one in to get rid of Tristan Stubbs. 'Give Josh a wicket with any little bit in it, and he finds it,' Cummins added on his pace bowling partner Hazlewood. 'Just hits the right area, ball after ball, presents good seam. I thought he was great at Lord's as well last week, without perhaps the returns that he was deserved. 'It's a huge asset to have him on our side as well. He's been keeping Scotty Boland out of the side and we know how good Scotty is. Really pumped for Josh this week.' The series now moves to St George's for the second Test, which gets underway on 3 July. ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsAustraliaWest Indies
Int'l Cricket Council
3 days ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Maharaj captains young South Africa XI for Zimbabwe Test
Following an injury to full-time skipper Temba Bavuma, Maharaj was named as the skipper of the South Africa side for the tour. Bavuma had sustained a hamstring strain during the World Test Championship Final, but continued to bat bravely thereafter, guiding the Proteas to a historic title. Maharaj will lead a young XI into the first Test in Bulawayo, with Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke being named as the designated openers. Wiaan Mulder will have another go at number three, after having impressed in the second innings of the Ultimate Test, while David Bedingham finds himself promoted to number four. Debutant Lhuan-dré Pretorius, who has just seven first-class games to his name, comes in at number five, whereas Dewald Brevis, who also makes his Test debut, sits at number six.
