Australia drop Labuschagne for the first WI Test while Steve Smith misses out as well due to a dislocated finger.
Australia drop Labuschagne from the Test side for the first time since his debut in 2019.
Australia will have a very different batting lineup for the World Test Championship final against South Africa as a result of the two alterations, which were confirmed five days before to the first Test in Barbados on June 25.
Having not played since the two matches against India, which started with his debut at the MCG with a score of 60 off 65 balls, Konstas will receive his third cap. Earlier this year, Inglis made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle, where he struck a century.
Despite being moved up to open in the WTC final as a last-ditch effort by the selectors, Labuschagne ended a two-year losing streak in Test cricket with scores of 17 and 22.
“Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “He understands his output hasn’t been at the level we, or he, expects. We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively.”
On the third day at Lord’s, however, Smith missed a chance given by Temba Bavuma and sustained a complex dislocation of the little finger on his right hand. He was spared surgery, but he must spend eight weeks in a splint. He might be eligible to play later in the West Indies series, though.
“Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we’ll give him another week’s rest and assess his functionality after that,” Bailey said. “We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers.
“In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition.”