Labuschagne dropped for NZ Tests: Bailey confirms CA's decision
Synopsis
Cricket Australia selection chair George Bailey has officially confirmed Marnus Labuschagne's exclusion from the four-Test series against New Zealand — ending 16 half-century-less innings of speculation. With 49 Test innings now since his last century and a second axing in 17 months, the question is no longer whether Labuschagne is out of form but whether he can rediscover it before Australia's India tour and away Ashes come calling.
Key Takeaways
Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia's squad for the four-Test series against New Zealand in December and January .
Selection chair George Bailey confirmed the decision on 9 November 2026 , citing a prolonged loss of form.
Labuschagne has not scored a half-century in his last 16 innings , managing just 36 runs at 12 vs Bangladesh and 131 at 21.83 in South Africa.
His last Test century came 49 innings ago against England at Manchester during the 2023 Ashes .
This is his second exclusion in 17 months ; Bailey says the door to a recall remains open.
Labuschagne will captain Queensland in the Sheffield Shield from 11 November as he seeks to rebuild his case.
Cricket Australia selection chair George Bailey on Monday, 9 November 2026 confirmed that Marnus Labuschagne will not be considered for Australia's upcoming four-Test series against New Zealand in December and January, ending weeks of speculation about the batter's immediate international future. The decision, Bailey said, is also intended to give the Queensland captain room to rebuild his confidence through the domestic Sheffield Shield circuit.
Bailey's Announcement and What He Said
'At this stage, we won't be considering Marn for selection for certainly that first Test, but for the New Zealand series. There's been a lot of speculation around his place in the team, and so I think this gives him a little bit of space and clears up a bit of conjecture as we work through the next round of (Sheffield) Shield cricket,' Bailey told reporters, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
Bailey added that the decision to go public ahead of the official squad announcement was deliberate — to spare Labuschagne from continued conjecture hanging over the upcoming Shield round. 'We just felt like this one was an important one, as much for Marn, just to give him the space,' he said.
A Prolonged Run of Poor Form
The axe follows a sustained lean patch for the 31-year-old across Australia's recent Test assignments. Against Bangladesh, Labuschagne managed just 36 runs at an average of 12, while his South Africa tour returned 131 runs at 21.83. Australia drew the Bangladesh series 1-1 and suffered a 2-1 defeat in South Africa. Notably, Labuschagne has not registered a half-century in his last 16 innings.
His wait for a Test century has now stretched to 49 innings, dating back to his last three-figure score against England at Manchester during the 2023 Ashes. This marks the second time in 17 months that Labuschagne has been left out of Australia's Test plans.
Door Not Permanently Shut, Bailey Says
Despite the omission, Bailey was careful not to frame this as the end of Labuschagne's Test career. 'It's still possible, absolutely. And I think we all know how good and how effective Marnus can be at his best. But that performance hasn't been there... I don't think we've ever ruled anyone out permanently…and that's no different in this case,' he said.
Bailey acknowledged that Labuschagne had shown promise in both the opening Tests of the most recent home Ashes, scoring half-centuries, but could not carry that momentum through the series.
Path Back Through Domestic Cricket
Labuschagne will return to lead Queensland in domestic fixtures, with the next Sheffield Shield round commencing on Wednesday, 11 November. Australia's selection panel is expected to finalise the squad for the first Test against New Zealand after assessing performances in that round.
Looking further ahead, Australia face a demanding schedule that includes a five-Test tour of India and an away Ashes series next year — both of which Bailey indicated could represent a route back for Labuschagne, should his form return at domestic level.
Point of View
And his conversion rate from promising starts has collapsed across two different tours, two different conditions. Shield runs will help, but they rarely fully replicate the pressure of Test cricket at No. 3. With India and an away Ashes looming, the selectors have bought themselves a window — but not an indefinite one.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Marnus Labuschagne been dropped from Australia's Test squad?
Labuschagne has been dropped due to a prolonged loss of form, having failed to score a half-century in his last 16 Test innings. He averaged just 12 against Bangladesh and 21.83 in South Africa, prompting Cricket Australia to leave him out of the New Zealand Test series.
Which series will Labuschagne miss?
Labuschagne will miss Australia's four-Test home series against New Zealand, scheduled for December and January. Cricket Australia selection chair George Bailey confirmed he will not be considered for any match in that series.
When did Labuschagne last score a Test century?
His last Test century came 49 innings ago, scored against England at Manchester during the 2023 Ashes. He has been unable to convert promising starts into a big score since then across multiple series.
Is Labuschagne's international career over?
No, according to Bailey. The selection chair said no player is ever ruled out permanently, and Labuschagne retains a pathway back through consistent Sheffield Shield performances. Australia's upcoming India tour and away Ashes series represent future opportunities.
What will Labuschagne do next?
Labuschagne will return to domestic cricket and captain Queensland in the next Sheffield Shield round, beginning on 11 November. Australia's selectors are expected to announce the New Zealand Test squad after assessing those domestic performances.
