NZ Tests:<\/b> Cricket Australia selection chair George Bailey on Monday confirmed that Marnus Labuschagne will not be considered for the upcoming four-Test series against New Zealand in December and January, bringing an end to speculation surrounding the batter\u2019s immediate future in the national side after a prolonged lean patch. Bailey said the decision would also give the Queensland batter some breathing space to rediscover his form during the next round of Sheffield Shield fixtures.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAt this stage, we won\u2019t be considering Marn for selection for certainly that first Test, but for the New Zealand series. There\u2019s 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 as we work through the next round of (Sheffield) Shield cricket,\u201d Bailey told reporters, as quoted by cricket.com.au.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The decision comes after Labuschagne struggled to convert his starts into substantial scores during Australia\u2019s recent assignments against Bangladesh and South Africa. The 31-year-old has not registered a half-century in his last 16 innings, with his latest outings yielding 36 runs at an average of 12 against Bangladesh and 131 at 21.83 in South Africa. Australia drew the Bangladesh series 1-1 before suffering a 2-1 defeat in South Africa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Once regarded as a dependable presence at No. 3, Labuschagne\u2019s prolonged wait for a Test century has now stretched to 49 innings, dating back to his last three-figure score against England at Manchester during the 2023 Ashes. His latest setback also marks the second time in 17 months that he has lost his place in Australia\u2019s Test plans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bailey, however, made it clear that the latest omission should not be interpreted as the end of Labuschagne\u2019s international career. With a demanding Test calendar ahead, including a five-match tour of India and an away Ashes assignment next year, the selection chair believes the batter still has an opportunity to force his way back through consistent performances.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s still possible, absolutely. And I think we all know how good and how effective Marnus can be at his best. But that performance hasn\u2019t been there. I think he\u2019s missed some opportunities, some promising starts in Darwin (against Bangladesh) and even in South Africa as well, to go on and get a big score that we\u2019d like and would have liked for some time, and that just hasn\u2019t happened. But I don\u2019t think we\u2019ve ever ruled anyone out permanently\u2026and that\u2019s no different in this case,\u201d Bailey said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Labuschagne had regained his preferred No. 3 position ahead of the home Ashes after an encouraging start to the domestic season. He made half-centuries in both the opening Tests of the series but was unable to sustain that momentum, with his subsequent performances failing to meet Australia\u2019s expectations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For now, the right-hander will return to domestic cricket and captain Queensland, with the next Sheffield Shield round beginning on Wednesday, November 11. Bailey said the decision to make Australia\u2019s position public ahead of the squad announcement was deliberate, given the attention surrounding Labuschagne\u2019s place in the team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe just felt like this one was an important one, as much for Marn, just to give him the space. He\u2019ll obviously go back and captain Queensland. (We) didn\u2019t really think it was beneficial to have that conjecture hanging over his head for the next week or so,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For now, the right-hander will return to domestic cricket and captain Queensland, with the next Sheffield Shield round beginning on Wednesday, November 11. Bailey said the decision to make Australia\u2019s position public ahead of the squad announcement was deliberate, given the attention surrounding Labuschagne\u2019s place in the team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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