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Marnus Labuschagne: news, facts and key points

2 stories · latest 09 Nov 2026 · View the player page

Key points from the latest coverage

Marnus Labuschagne Dropped from Australia’s Test Plans for New Zealand Series

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.

Andrew McDonald Signals Australia Selection Review After South Africa Test Series Defeat

Australia lost the three-Test series against South Africa 2-1 after being bowled out for 111 while chasing 288 in the deciding Test in Cape Town.
Head coach Andrew McDonald said Australia had underachieved and that selection decisions would be considered after the disappointment of the tour.
McDonald said Marnus Labuschagne had missed opportunities in South Africa and that his position would be reassessed in the following week or so.
Labuschagne scored 131 runs at an average of 21.83 during the series, including scores of zero and four in the deciding Test.
McDonald said the selectors would consider the squad’s age profile as they balance experienced players with younger options such as Cooper Connolly and Sam Konstas.

Did you know? Facts about Marnus Labuschagne

Labuschagne was ranked the world's No. 1 Test batter in 2021 and has since slipped to equal 40th in the rankings, according to the ICC. Read the story →
He scored 10 centuries in his first 33 Test matches and averaged 59.43 during that early period. Read the story →
Labuschagne was previously dropped for Australia's 2025 tour of the West Indies but earned his way back with two Sheffield Shield centuries for Queensland. Read the story →
Australia's four-Test series against New Zealand is part of the 2026-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. Read the story →
Australia have now been dismissed for four wickets down at 95 or worse in 14 of their past 25 Test innings, according to ABC reporting. Read the story →
Australia surrendered a 1-0 series lead after losing the second and third Tests in Gqeberha and Cape Town. Read the story →
Josh Inglis was brought into the deciding Test at short notice after Steve Smith was ruled out with a neck problem and went on to score a century. Read the story →
McDonald said Nathan Lyon’s position was not something to review immediately and expected the spinner to prepare for the first Test against New Zealand. Read the story →

All stories on Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne Dropped from Australia’s Test Plans for New Zealand Series

Australia have ruled Marnus Labuschagne out of contention for the entire four-Test series against New Zealand, with chief selector George Bailey confirming the decision after a prolonged lean run. The former world No. 1 will return to Queensland cricket, while a possible Test recall for future tours

Andrew McDonald Signals Australia Selection Review After South Africa Test Series Defeat

Australia coach Andrew McDonald says selectors will reassess Marnus Labuschagne and the squad’s age profile after a 2-1 Test series loss to South Africa. He admitted Australia underachieved but defended the broader quality of the team and pointed to batting positives from the tour.

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Australia New Zealand South Africa Cooper Connolly Josh Inglis India Bangladesh England