Marnus Labuschagne says he has no doubt he will return to Australia's Test team after selectors left him out of next month's four-Test home series against New Zealand. The 32-year-old spoke on Tuesday, a day after selection chair George Bailey confirmed the omission. The series starts in Perth on 9 December.

The former world number one was direct about his ambition. "I've got no doubt I will be back there. When? Who knows," he said. "I think my path back into the Australia team will work itself out. I've done it before. It's something that I truly want."

A lean run without a century

Labuschagne has gone 49 Test innings without a century since his last hundred against England at Old Trafford in 2023. His South Africa tour underlined the slump: 131 runs at 21.83 in three Tests, including nought and four in the Cape Town decider as Australia lost the match and the series 2-1.

He has averaged 23.66, with two half-centuries in 10 Tests since being dropped for the West Indies series last year. It is the second time in 17 months he has lost his place.

Queensland return is the way back

He will now captain Queensland in the Sheffield Shield, starting against Tasmania at the Gabba on Wednesday, with three fixtures before the Big Bash break to press his case for a recall.

His omission leaves the number three spot open, with Jack Clayton, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Kurtis Patterson among the contenders. Reuters and Cricket Australia reported his comments.