Australia selector chair George Bailey has confirmed that Marnus Labuschagne will not be considered for the home Test series against New Zealand, ending weeks of speculation about the batter's place in the side.

Bailey made the announcement on Monday, 9 November, ahead of the four-Test series, which begins with the first Test in Perth on 9 December. The squad for the opening match will be named after the next round of Sheffield Shield matches, which start on Wednesday, 11 November.

Second axe in 17 months

It is the second time in 17 months that Labuschagne has lost his place in Australia's Test plans. The 31-year-old has not scored a half-century in his last 16 Test innings, and his wait for a Test century now stretches to 49 innings, dating back to his hundred against England at Manchester during the 2023 Ashes.

His recent returns were poor. Labuschagne made 36 runs at an average of 12 against Bangladesh and 131 runs at 21.83 in the tour of South Africa, which Australia lost 2-1. He finished that series with scores of 0 and 4 in the deciding Test in Cape Town.

Return to Queensland

Bailey said the decision would give Labuschagne room to rebuild his form in domestic cricket. The right-hander will return to Queensland for the next Sheffield Shield round and is set to captain the side.

"At this stage, we won't be considering Marn for selection for certainly that first Test, but for the New Zealand series," Bailey told reporters.

Labuschagne had regained his preferred No. 3 position before the home Ashes after a strong start to the domestic season, but the selectors have now decided to look elsewhere. Australia must find a new No. 3 before the first Test against the Black Caps in Perth.