Labuschagne Excluded From Australia's New Zealand Tests
Chair of selectors George Bailey confirmed Marnus Labuschagne will not be considered for the four-Test series against New Zealand.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Baseball
Australia's national selection panel has ruled out Marnus Labuschagne for the four-Test series against New Zealand, Monday's announcement confirmed. Labuschagne will return to captain Queensland in the Sheffield Shield.
Why it matters
The announcement clears speculation about the place of the No.3 batter, who has had an extended lean run. It sets the framework for the Test squad that selectors will pick after the fourth Sheffield Shield round.
The four-Test series is the figure that frames the selection, with the squad to be named after the fourth Sheffield Shield round starting Wednesday. The names of the replacement batters have not been confirmed.
The players
George Bailey
Bailey is the chair of Australia's national selectors, who oversees selection for the national men's team.
Marnus Labuschagne
Labuschagne is an Australian Test batter and Queensland captain who has been one of the country's leading No.3 batters.
The details
Chair of selectors George Bailey confirmed to reporters on Monday that Labuschagne would not be considered for the New Zealand series. Labuschagne, the No.3 batter, will return to captain Queensland in the Sheffield Shield.
Timeline
Monday: Bailey confirms Labuschagne's exclusion to reporters.
Wednesday: The fourth Sheffield Shield round starts.
End of the fourth Sheffield Shield round: Selectors pick the Test squad for New Zealand.
Season Trajectory
The decision follows the established practice of using Sheffield Shield form to shape Australian Test selection. It shifts the focus of the New Zealand series toward the batting order ahead of the squad announcement.
Labuschagne's exclusion removes a senior No.3 option from the Test batting order for the four-Test series. Fantasy and betting readers should watch the squad named after the fourth Shield round for the replacement batters.
The takeaway
Selection for the New Zealand series will rest on Sheffield Shield form, so the performances in the fourth round will carry more weight than usual. Readers following the Test side should track that round before drawing conclusions on the batting line-up.
What happens next
Selectors will pick the Test squad for the New Zealand series at the end of the fourth Sheffield Shield round, which starts Wednesday.
Further reading
For broader context on Australian sporting selections, see Baseball.
