Klerksdorp-born Marnus Labuschagne has been ruled out of Australia's four-Test series against New Zealand, with selectors making an early call.
Marnus Labuschagne, the Klerksdorp-born batter who built his Test career in Australian colours, has been dropped from the Test side. Selectors have ruled him out of the entire home series against New Zealand.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed the decision on Monday, before the squad for the opening Test has even been named. The first match starts on 9 December in Perth. Bailey told reporters Labuschagne will not be considered for any of the four Tests, so the out-of-form star knows where he stands well in advance.
The early announcement is a firm statement from the panel, but it is not a permanent farewell. Bailey said it is still possible Labuschagne will return for the upcoming tours of India and England, where conditions and the demands on the batting order will be very different.
For now, the 'under-fire' tag follows him out of the squad. Labuschagne, who moved from South Africa to Australia as a boy, has a clear task: find his rhythm in domestic cricket and make the selectors' next decision a hard one.
