Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia's Test side, with chair of selectors George Bailey confirming on 9 November 2026 that the No.3 will not be considered for the series opener against New Zealand in Perth from 9 December. According to cricket.com.au, it is the second time in 17 months that he has been left out.
What Was Announced
"At this stage we won't be considering Marn for selection for certainly that first Test, but for the New Zealand series," Bailey said. "There's 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 Shield cricket."
Cricket Australia reported that since being dropped for the three-Test series in the West Indies last year, the 32-year-old has averaged 23.66 in 10 Tests, with two fifties from 19 innings. In the final Test of last month's series in South Africa he scored 0 and 4, and his run without a century now stretches to 49 innings. His Test average has fallen from 60.82 after 30 Tests to 42.64 after 68.
Bailey said a recall remained possible, including for next year's Test series in India and England. "It's still possible, absolutely," he said. "But I don't think we've ever ruled anyone out permanently ... and that's no different in this case."
Labuschagne will return to captain Queensland in the Sheffield Shield.
What It Means
Steve Smith, who missed the Cape Town Test with a neck injury, is expected to return. Bailey said selectors would name the rest of the squad after the next round of the Sheffield Shield, which begins on Wednesday.
The series, as listed by Cricket Australia:
- First Test: 9-13 December, Perth Stadium
- Second Test: 17-21 December, Adelaide Oval
- Third Test: 26-30 December, MCG, Melbourne
- Fourth Test: 4-8 January, SCG, Sydney
Source: Cricket Australia report.