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AUS vs WI 1st Test: Australia will be playing their first Test match of the 2025-27 WTC cycle as they aim to clinch their title by facing West Indies during their first Test match, which is being held at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. But the former champions would be without the services of batters Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne who have been replaced by Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis in Australia's playing XI, who were last seen in action during the 2025 WTC summit clash against South Africa at Lord's.

Konstas would be opening the batting along with Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green would come in at No.3 position whereas Inglis would be batting at No.4 position instead of Smith.

Why Are Steve Smith And Marnus Labuschagne not Playing

Steve Smith, who is considered one of the best Test batters of the modern era, has been ruled out owing to an injury. The former Australian skipper had sustained a finger injury in the WTC summit clash. The incident occurred when Smith was standing at the slip cordon in a normal position and had dropped a sitter of Temba Bavuma during the second innings.

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Smith might make a comeback to the playing XI for the next matches but a decision would be made soon.

“Steve needs more time for the wound to heal so we’ll give him another week’s rest and assess his functionality after that. We have decided to allow Josh and Sam to replace Steve and Marnus. We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers," George Bailey, who is the chief selector of Cricket Australia said.

At the same time, Marnus Labuschagne, who is the second-highest run-scorer in WTC history, has been snubbed from the team as he underwent a lean patch. Since last year, he has scored just 593 runs after playing in 13 Test matches at a below-par average of 26.95. He last smashed a century in this format way back in 2023.

“Marnus at his best can be an important member of this team. He understands his output hasn’t been at the level we, or he, expect. We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively," Bailey concluded.

Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

West Indies Playing XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, Brandon King, John Campbell, Shai Hope(w), Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase(c), Jomel Warrican, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales

West Indies Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite, Mikyle Louis, Shai Hope(w), Keacy Carty, John Campbell, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase(c), Jomel Warrican, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, Tevin Imlach, Kevlon Anderson, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip

Australia Squad: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Beau Webster, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne

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