Key points
- Australia chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed on November 9 that Marnus Labuschagne will not be considered for the four-Test series against New Zealand.
- The first Test against New Zealand is scheduled to begin in Perth on December 9, 2026.
- Labuschagne scored 131 runs at an average of 21.83 across six innings in Australia's recent three-Test series in South Africa.
- The 32-year-old has gone 49 Test innings without a century, with his last hundred coming during the 2023 Ashes.
- Australia will select the rest of their squad after the fourth round of Sheffield Shield matches.
- Labuschagne is expected to return to Queensland and captain the side in Sheffield Shield cricket.
- Bailey said a future recall remains possible, including for Australia's tours of India and England in 2027.
Australia have made an early selection call on Marnus Labuschagne, ruling the former No. 1 Test batter out of contention for the entire four-Test home series against New Zealand. Chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed the decision on Monday, November 9, following a prolonged run of disappointing returns that continued during Australia's recent tour of South Africa.
The first Test against New Zealand is scheduled to begin in Perth on December 9. Labuschagne will return to Queensland cricket and is expected to captain the state in the Sheffield Shield, while selectors prepare to finalise the national squad after the next round of domestic matches.
Bailey confirms Labuschagne will miss New Zealand series
Bailey said the selection panel had decided not to consider Labuschagne for the upcoming series, rather than leave the batter facing speculation until the squad announcement. The chairman said the decision was intended to give the 32-year-old space to focus on his game and allow selectors to assess other options.
“At this stage we won't be considering Marn for selection for certainly that first Test, but for the New Zealand series,” Bailey said, as reported by the ICC and Australian media.
Bailey also made clear that the decision was not a permanent end to Labuschagne's international career. He said a return remained possible and pointed to future tours of India and England as opportunities for the batter to put himself back into contention.
Extended lean run leads to omission
Labuschagne's recent numbers have fallen well short of the standards he set during the most productive period of his Test career. He managed 131 runs from six innings at an average of 21.83 in Australia's three-Test series in South Africa. His scores on that tour included 0, 4, 14, 39, 37 and 37.
The sequence has extended his wait for a Test century to 49 innings. His last hundred came during the 2023 Ashes in England. The right-hander was once the world's top-ranked Test batter, but the ICC reported that he had slipped to equal 40th in the rankings by the time of the latest selection decision.
Labuschagne's decline has been a subject of discussion through Australia's recent assignments. He had also faced scrutiny during the home series against Bangladesh, and the South Africa tour intensified questions over his place at No. 3. Bailey said the batter had missed opportunities to convert promising starts into substantial scores.
Queensland cricket offers route back
The immediate next step for Labuschagne is domestic cricket with Queensland. Bailey said he expected the batter to return to leading the state in the Sheffield Shield, where performances will remain an important part of any future selection discussion.
There is precedent for Labuschagne rebuilding his international position through strong domestic performances. He was left out of Australia's Test side for the 2025 tour of the West Indies, but two centuries for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield helped him earn a return for the home Ashes campaign.
Bailey said selectors had not ruled out any player permanently. He described Labuschagne as a proven first-class performer and said the possibility of a recall remained open. The immediate decision, however, means Australia will need another option in the No. 3 position for the New Zealand series.
Australia face a selection decision at No. 3
Australia's squad for the first Test is expected to be settled after the fourth round of Sheffield Shield matches. Bailey said selectors had a group of players in contention and would use the next round to finalise the structure and available options.
Steve Smith's return to the side after missing the final Test in South Africa with a neck injury is expected to be an important factor in the batting order. Other players, including Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly, Beau Webster, Josh Inglis and Matt Renshaw, have featured in discussions around Australia's batting combinations, although the final selection remains unannounced.
The four-Test series against New Zealand begins in Perth on December 9, followed by matches in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Australia are currently third in the World Test Championship standings and will be looking for strong results during the home summer.
Recall remains possible for 2027 tours
While Labuschagne will not feature against New Zealand, Bailey has left open the possibility of a return for Australia's demanding 2027 schedule. The team is due to tour India and England, two assignments that will require depth and experience in the batting group.
For now, Labuschagne's focus shifts to Queensland and the Sheffield Shield. The omission is a significant setback for a batter who once occupied the top position in Test rankings, but the selectors' comments leave a path back if he can rediscover the consistency that defined his early international career.
Frequently asked questions
Has Marnus Labuschagne been dropped from Australia's Test team?
Yes. Chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed on November 9 that Labuschagne will not be considered for Australia's entire four-Test series against New Zealand. The squad has not yet been finalised, but the selectors have already ruled him out of contention for the series.
Why has Marnus Labuschagne been dropped for the New Zealand Tests?
The decision follows an extended run of poor form. Labuschagne scored 131 runs at an average of 21.83 across six innings in the recent South Africa series and has not scored a Test century in 49 innings. Selectors said he had not converted promising starts into the big scores required.
When does Australia's Test series against New Zealand begin?
The four-Test series begins on December 9, 2026, in Perth. The remaining matches are scheduled for Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Australia will announce the squad after the fourth round of Sheffield Shield matches.
Can Marnus Labuschagne return to Australia's Test team?
Yes. George Bailey said Labuschagne has not been ruled out permanently and could return to consideration for future tours, including visits to India and England in 2027. The batter is expected to return to Queensland and play Sheffield Shield cricket as he works to regain form.
How many runs did Labuschagne score in the South Africa Test series?
Labuschagne scored 131 runs from six innings at an average of 21.83 during Australia's recent three-Test series in South Africa. His scores were 0, 4, 14, 39, 37 and 37, and he did not register a half-century in the series.
Who could replace Labuschagne at No. 3 for Australia?
Australia have not announced a replacement for Labuschagne at No. 3. Chairman of selectors George Bailey said the squad would be finalised after the next round of Sheffield Shield matches. Steve Smith's return and the form of other batting candidates will influence the final combination.