Marnus Labuschagne has been left out of Australia’s squad for the first Test against West Indies in Barbados, 25 June, while Steven Smith misses out with a finger injury. In their place come Sam Konstas, set for only his third cap, and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, fresh from a hundred on debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Selectors confirmed the changes five days out, so the top order will look rather different from the recent World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa. Labuschagne, promoted to open at Lord’s in a last show of faith, could only manage 17 and 22. It ends a run of uninterrupted selection stretching back to 2019.
“Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “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.”
Smith’s absence is enforced. He dislocated the little finger on his right hand attempting a catch off Temba Bavuma and, although surgery was avoided, the splint stays on for another month.
“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 explained. “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.”
Konstas, 23, impressed with a run-a-ball 60 on debut at the MCG last summer but has not played since the two-Test India series. He is expected to partner Usman Khawaja at the top, freeing Cameron Green to remain in the middle order. Inglis keeps wicket and lengthens the batting, leaving one of Alex Carey or Matthew Wade on the sidelines.
“In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition.”
Australia will settle on the final XI once they inspect the Kensington Oval surface. If it looks dry, Matthew Kuhnemann may team up with Nathan Lyon for a two-spinner attack, a tactic that served well in Galle. Otherwise, the usual three-seamer mix, led by Pat Cummins, appears likely.
The match is the first of the new WTC cycle, something Cummins described earlier this week as a “reset”. Results now feed straight into that table, so early points matter—another reason selectors were willing to make bold calls.
In a nutshell: Labuschagne searches for form back home, Smith heals, and two newer faces get an immediate chance to shape the series. It feels more evolution than revolution, but still a notable shift ahead of a demanding Caribbean tour.
