Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the Australia team for the first Test against West Indies in Barbados. Labuschagne’s lean run of form in the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle left him needing a huge performance in the final against South Africa, which unfortunately did not come.

Sam Konstas takes his place at the top of the order, marking the 19-year-old’s first Test outside Australia.

Marnus Labuschagne dropped, Steve Smith out of the first Test vs West Indies due to injury

George Bailey, Chair of Selectors, said the management will continue to work with Labuschagne to ensure he gets back to his best. Australia’s number three managed 974 runs at just 27.82 since the WTC 2023 Final.

“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,” Bailey said, as quoted by sen.com.au.

“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.”

ALSO READ: Tim Paine launches passionate defence of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne

In other news, Steve Smith will miss the first Test due to injury. He suffered a nasty compound dislocation to the little finger in his right hand attempting to take a catch close in at slip during the WTC Final. However, he remains a chance of returning in the second Test.

“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 said.

Josh Inglis will replace Smith in the XI. Inglis has been impressive for Australia, including in Sri Lanka earlier this year where he struck a century on debut.

“We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus,” Bailey said. “We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers.”

The three-match series between West Indies and Australia begins on June 25 in Barbados. Australia will confirm who bats where closer to the match.

Australia possible XI for first Test vs West Indies: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Sam Konstas, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Josh Inglis, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood