Australia drops Labuschagne for New Zealand Test series

Sport · First reported 9 Nov, 00:51 · Updated 01:22

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Rekia1991 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Marnus Labuschagne will not be considered for Australia’s four-Test series against New Zealand, starting December 9. Selectors say he could return for later tours to India and England; Australia plans to name the squad after the next round of Sheffield Shield matches.

Selector George Bailey said Labuschagne would be omitted from Australia’s squad for the four-Test New Zealand series, which begins in Perth on December 9.
Labuschagne has gone 49 Test innings without a century; in the South Africa series, he averaged 21.83 across six innings, according to ABC News.
Labuschagne is set to return to captaining Queensland in the Sheffield Shield. Bailey said a recall for the India and England tours remains possible, and Australia will finalise its squad after the next Shield round.

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Key facts

New Zealand series: Four Tests, beginning December 9 in Perth.
Labuschagne’s recent South Africa record: 21.83 average in six innings, per ABC News.
Test centuries: 49 innings without a century.
Squad announcement: After the next round of Sheffield Shield matches.