Steve Smith out, star opener dropped as Australia reveal playing XI for first Test against West Indies

Cricket Australia have revealed their playing XI for the first Test match against West Indies, which is scheduled to take place from June 25 to 30 at Kensington Oval in Barbados. Australia batting great Steve Smith missed his spot as the batter suffered an injury during the WTC final against South Africa and remains doubtful for the entire series. The Pat Cummins-led side also made a shocking call.

Out of form batter Marnus Labuschagne, who featured as an opener in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, has been dropped and as per Cummins, Cameron Green will bat at his position, the number 3 spot. Australia added Josh Inglis in place of Steve Smith to bat at number four. The upcoming three-Test match series will be Australia's first red-ball assignment after a humiliating loss in the WTC Final against South Africa at iconic Lord's Stadium in England.

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“Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. 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,” Chief Selector George Bailey had said in a statement.

In place of Labuschagne, Australia included Sam Konstas, who impressed everyone with his batting against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The core of the bowling remains the same with Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins playing but Scott Boland once again gets ignored.

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Australia playing XI vs West Indies: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (WK), Pat Cummins (C), Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster