Coach calls calm on Labuschagne as Australia weighs changes
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has stopped short of saying Marnus Labuschagne will be dropped for the home Tests against New Zealand after the team’s series…
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has left Marnus Labuschagne’s place open for the home Tests against New Zealand after the team’s series defeat in South Africa. The review will also consider a batting unit that has struggled over the past 18 months.
McDonald has not signalled an immediate shake-up. He said Labuschagne’s position would receive serious discussion, while leaving open the possibility that strong Sheffield Shield form could keep the batter in contention.
“He’s had some opportunities that he’s missed on this tour in particular, so that’ll be something in the next week or so that we’ll get our heads around,” McDonald said.
The coach and selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide are due to review the South Africa tour. The loss was Australia’s second series defeat in 16 contests since Pat Cummins became captain in 2021-22.
There is pressure from Ian Healy for Cricket Australia to look beyond the current leadership. The former Australia wicketkeeper urged the governing body to sound out Ricky Ponting about replacing McDonald and said Bailey should leave his role as selection chair.
“What I’m hearing is they are looking at extending the coach... but what I’d be doing is enquiring about the availability of several. Can we get Ricky Ponting?”, Healy told SEN Queensland.
Healy said he would accept McDonald staying through the next Ashes, but argued Cricket Australia should prepare an alternative if results do not improve. He also questioned how selection decisions had been agreed by the panel.
“I think it’s time [for him] to move on. But he’s also got a selection panel he’s got to get these selections over with,” Healy said of Bailey.
The selection controversy includes Nic Maddinson’s recall as an opening batter for the first two Tests in South Africa, despite not having played a red-ball game since March 2025. Maddinson was dropped before the series decider in Cape Town.
Those choices now sit alongside a demanding path to another World Test Championship final. Australia will need to beat New Zealand by a clear margin and win one or two Tests in India, depending on other results, to qualify for a third consecutive final.
McDonald said Cricket Australia had begun discussions about extending his contract, but he did not intend to settle the matter soon. His deal expires after next year’s ODI World Cup.
“There has been some discussion, so I won’t hide away from that,” McDonald said. “But my firm focus is we’ve got, I think, 10 Test matches in the next three months, so I’m looking at that.”
He said he would focus on the period leading to the 150th anniversary Test in Melbourne in March, then return to the contract question in April and May. McDonald also said the team was “a little bit up against it now” in its effort to reach the World Test Championship final.
McDonald indicated Nathan Lyon was likely to retain his place against New Zealand. Steve Smith has also made himself available for the series once he recovers from a neck injury.
For Australian supporters, the review will shape more than Labuschagne’s immediate prospects: it will test whether selectors change course after the South Africa defeat, while decisions on McDonald’s future remain unresolved. Healy said he would allow the coach one more year to take the team through to the Ashes.
