Table Of Contents
Smith injured his little finger in his right hand during the WTC Final while attempting a catch, which led to a compound dislocation. The finger will be in a splint for eight weeks. The 36-year-old had scored 490 runs in 17 innings at an average of 35 in 2024. He started 2025 in a much stronger fashion, having scored 388 runs in 6 innings till now while averaging 64.66.
Labuschagne had been dropped due to his bad performance, as he had scored his century in 2023 and was not performing well. In the year 2024, he had scored only 464 runs in 17 Innings while scoring six half-centuries. His inability to convert these scores to triple figures proved to be one of the reasons why he was dropped from the team. In 2025, Labuschagne’s form reached a new low. In seven innings so far, the right-handed batter has scored 97 runs, averaging 16. His highest score in these innings has been an unbeaten score of 26 runs.
Konstas is a top-order batter who performed impressively in the previous Test series against India. He scored 113 runs in 4 innings with a strike rate of 81.88, hitting 13 fours and 2 sixes. His audacity to stand tall against the best bowlers was at full display when he played the last two tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and made an impact straightaway.
Josh Inglis has been knocking on the door of a test call-up for many years. He finally got his chance earlier in the year during Australia’s tour to India. The right-handed batter is a wicketkeeper but is expected to play as a specialist bat with Alex Carey taking the responsibility of keeping the wickets. He has played 2 innings in Test cricket, scoring 102 runs at a rollicking strike rate of 106.5, which included 10 fours and a six. He would be taking Smith’s position in the lineup. Inglis could bat at three with Cameron Green returning to number four for the time being.
Former Australian cricketer George Bailey came forward and talked about how big of an asset Labuschagne is to Australia’s Test side, but also gave his thoughts on his struggle with form.
Bailey said that “We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively”.
Australia will play the match at Kensington Oval in the West Indies, scheduled from June 25 to June 30. The Test squad includes players such as Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins (C), Sam Konstas, Scott Boland, Sean Abbott, Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Usman Khawaja.
More Links
FANTASY CRICKET TIPS
