Labuschagne dropped by Australia, Konstas recalled

AUSTRALIA dropped Marnus Labuschagne yesterday for the opening match of their three-Test tour of the West Indies after a poor run of form, while Steve Smith is out injured.

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Teenager Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis come into the starting XI for the opening match in Barbados starting next Wednesday.

Labuschagne opened the batting in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa last week, but managed scores of only 17 and 22 on a challenging Lord’s pitch.

His last hundred for Australia in Test matches was in July 2023, against England at Manchester.

Since then, the South African-born right-hander has averaged 24.7 with the bat in 16 matches.