New Delhi, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne has expressed confidence that he will earn his place back in the national Test team after being dropped for the upcoming series opener against New Zealand, saying he has experienced a similar setback before and remains determined to return.
Selection chair George Bailey confirmed that Labuschagne would not retain his position at No. 3 for the first Test against New Zealand, scheduled to begin in Perth on December 9. It is the second time in 17 months that the 32-year-old has been left out of Australia’s Test side.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Labuschagne said the omission could give him an opportunity to step away from the pressure and scrutiny that had followed him during an extended lean patch.
“You’re pretty aware as a cricketer … you use this as an opportunity to step back from the scrutiny, and being under the pump for probably two years now,” he said.
Labuschagne’s struggles with the bat have stretched back to the 2023 Ashes, his last Test series featuring a century. Since being dropped for Australia’s three-Test tour of the West Indies last year, he has averaged 23.66 across 10 Tests, scoring just two half-centuries in 19 innings.
His recent numbers have added to the concerns. He scored 36 runs at an average of 12 against Bangladesh and managed 131 runs at 21.83 in South Africa. He has not registered a half-century in his last 16 innings.
The right-handed batter will now return to domestic cricket, captaining Queensland in the Sheffield Shield, with the next round beginning on Wednesday.
Labuschagne said his immediate focus was on scoring runs and helping Queensland win matches, rather than worrying about the timing of a possible international recall.
“I’ve done it before, and I’ve got no doubt I will be back there. When? Who knows, but that’s the aspiration and desire,” he said, adding that he would contribute as a captain, batter and bowler for Queensland.
His omission has opened up a place in Australia’s middle order, with Kurtis Patterson, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Queensland teammate Jack Clayton among the possible contenders.
Steve Smith’s expected return will also be an important consideration after he missed the series decider in Cape Town due to a neck injury. Australia’s selectors are expected to finalise the squad for the New Zealand series after the next Sheffield Shield round.
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