In a surprising move, Australia has left out Marnus Labuschagne for the upcoming Test against the West Indies, marking the first time he's been dropped from the side. Chief selector George Bailey confirmed the decision, citing Labuschagne's slump in form—he's averaged just 24.7 over his last 16 matches. Adding to the shake-up, Steve Smith will also sit out due to a finger injury from the recent World Test Championship final loss to South Africa.

Editor’s Note: Dropping a key player like Labuschagne signals Australia is serious about shaking things up after a disappointing WTC final. It’s a bold call that could either spark a turnaround or backfire, depending on how the replacements perform. For fans, it’s a jarring reminder that even top-tier players aren’t untouchable when form dips.