Sam Konstas is facing the axe from the top order for the World Test Championship final as Australian selectors look in favour of a new partner for Usman Khawaja.
The 19-year-old was the talk of the summer after he delivered a fearless display on Boxing Day against India while facing heat from superstar quick Jasprit Bumrah.
But mixed results at all levels of the game have placed a cloud over his spot, with Marnus Labuschange backed to step into the role, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Australian selectors are set to finalise the 15-man squad for the one-off Test at Lord’s as well as the team for the following West Indies tour.
However, Konstas is reportedly set to be overlooked.
The omission does not rule Konstas out of contention for selection for the Wests Indies series, which marks the beginning of the next WTC cycle.
Labuschange has never opened for Australia in Test cricket.
The right-hander was badly out of form before scoring 72 and 70 against India at the MCG.
A decline in his performances is not expected to impact the 30-year-old’s position in the top six for Australia, given he has been floated to take on a role as an opener before.
Following the retirement of David Warner in early 2024, Labuschange was floated as a strong contender to step into the role alongside Khawaja.
Vice-captain Steve Smith was moved into the role immediately following Warner’s departure, but he has since settled back into his role at No.4.
With Cameron Green likely to be called back into the team after returning to full fitness, Josh Inglis’ spot in the team is also on the line.
Despite hitting a century on his Test debut, Australian selectors do not favour Inglis over the likes of Green or Labuschange for the Lord’s battle.