Steve Smith has been ruled out of Australia’s first Test against the West Indies in Barbados, slated to start on June 25, while Marnus Labuschagne has lost his place in the line-up.

On Friday (June 20), Cricket Australia confirmed that Smith would miss the opening match of the three-Test series due to a finger injury sustained in the World Test Championship (WTC) final loss to South Africa last weekend at Lord’s. He is expected to be fit for the second Test against West Indies.

Chief selector George Bailey said teenage opener Sam Konstas and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis would replace Smith and Labuschagne.

Bailey said Smith needed more time for a wound to heal and he’d be reassessed after another week.

“We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus,” Bailey said. “We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers.”

Konstas made his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test against India at MCG last December. The 19-year-old impressed one and all with his aggressive batting style, scoring 60 off 65 balls in his maiden Test innings. He has featured in two Tests so far.

On the other hand, the 30-year-old Inglis has played mostly white-ball cricket for Australia. His two Test appearances to date came in the series win in Sri Lanka in February, where he slammed a century on debut.

“In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition,” Bailey said.

Labuschagne, who averages 46.19 in Test cricket with 11 centuries and 23 fifties, has struggled for form in recent series. He hasn’t scored a Test hundred since the 2023 Ashes series in Manchester. The right-hander moved up to open in the WTC final against South Africa, but was dismissed for 17 and 22.

“Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn’t been at the level we, or he, expects,” Bailey said. “We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover.”

The batting order and starting XI will be finalized closer to the start of the series opener. The second Test is due to be held in Grenada from July 3.