WI vs AUS: Steve Smith Injured, Labuschagne Dropped as Australia Name Fresh XI for West Indies Test Opener. Australia has made significant changes in the squad for the first Test against West Indies, starting on June 25 in Barbados. Star batter Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the playing XI due to poor form, while senior player Steve Smith has been ruled out with a finger injury.
In keeping with the theme of building for the future, the selectors have given chances to youth, giving opportunities to Josh Inglis and Sam Konstas. This marks a new and bold start for Australia in the Caribbean.
Labuschagne has not been in good form of late and has not scored a century in the last 18 months, and was quiet even in the recent World Test Championship Final. He was dropped after a prolonged lean spell; he had no Test hundred since mid-2023 and scores of 17 & 22 in the WTC Final at Lord’s.
Steve Smith injured his right little finger in that same match. Doctors have said he needs some rest and will not play in the first Test, which will be evaluated before the second Test in Grenada on July 3.
Josh Inglis, wicketkeeper-batter, has already played a white-ball series for Australia and scored a Test century on debut in Sri Lanka. He is expected to bat middle order. Sam Konstas, a 19-year-old batter, will open the innings. He has caught the eye of selectors with good domestic cricket performances and a half-century in a tour game against India last year.
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WI vs AUS: Australia Squad vs West Indies Test Series
Sean Abbott, Beau Webster, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Travis Head, Matt Kuhnemann, Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Scott Boland, Josh Inglis, Sam Konstas, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood,
Note: Smith and Labuschagne are part of the squad but not playing the 1st Test.
