For a period of 23 Tests, Marnus Labuschagne was statistically the luckiest batter in Test cricket.

He had more genuine chances dropped or missed than any other batter from his debut up until the end of the 2021/22 Ashes series. He was more often than not able to turn those reprieves into significant scores.

In more recent times, it's been slim pickings. In fact, it's been 23 Tests since his last century, dating back to the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford in 2023.

He's been left out of the ODI squad travelling to take on Zimbabwe and South Africa later this month. The right-hander has only missed five of Australia's last 56 ODIs, raising questions about his future in the Test side.

"We're still very much working through what that Test squad looks like, but I can say we separate out those formats," chair of selectors George Bailey told reporters when unveiling the ODI squad.

"He has played some really important one-day cricket for us; at his best that looks a certain way, but the way that squad and team is structuring up there just wasn't space for him."

If you break down Labuschagne's career into the period before his last Test ton and the period since, there is somewhat of a trend: his luck has seemingly run out.

Looking at only genuine chances missed by opposition teams — dropped catches, missed stumpings, opposition teams not reviewing a decision that would have seen him dismissed, or wickets on a no ball — he was given a reprieve 25 times from 75 innings where he faced at least one ball.

That's a chance every three innings from his Test debut in 2018 to his most recent hundred back in 2023.

Across his first 20 Tests he scored six centuries and 12 fifties, earning him a batting average of 62.15. If, in that time, he had been taken at the first opportunity, that average drops to 46.50.

With an important series against South Africa on the horizon and his omission from the ODI squad, all eyes now look to see if his luck really has run out.

Read the full article at abc.net.au.

More than a decade after his last appearance in the Big Bash League, Ben Stokes is reportedly returning to Australia after agreeing to a blockbuster deal with the Adelaide Strikers.

The retired England captain has opted for Adelaide following a three-way battle for his signature, according to 7Cricket’s Tom Morris, with the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades missing out on the superstar all-rounder.

Stokes is reportedly set to earn around AUD $500,000 for the season, with Cricket Australia sources confirming his decision on Tuesday morning.

Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins (SA only), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc (SA only), Adam Zampa

Australia A four-day squad: Brendan Doggett, Jack Edwards, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott

Australia A one-day squad: Mahli Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Spencer Johnson, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachlan Shaw

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/cricket-2026-gerard-whateley-joins-fox-cricket-commentary-team-for-202627-summer-of-the-century-kayo-sports-commentators/news-story/57e9129bdcdad17db529d31e4f7bae4c

JL, JB and Bluey discuss the Number 3 spot for the Australian Test team. Blewett felt a change at Number 3 is necessary after observing that Labuschagne looked a bit defeated after the last Test match. Blewett pointed out Green performed very well at #3 during the West Indies series, so that is an option. While Steve Smith is a possibility, Blewett indicated that Steve Smith, like Joe Root, won’t move from the Number 4 spot. Josh Inglis suggested as an unconventional, aggressive option for the top three and possibly the only he gets to play regularly in the Test side. The young prospects of Ollie Peak, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, and Campbell Kellaway, but the problem is that they need start at the Number 6 spot first. Langer emphasised the risk of throwing young players straight into the top three against high-quality international bowling attacks before they are ready. Cooper Connolly was mentioned but more of as a middle-order batsman. There was no mention of Kurtis Patterson.

I have often wondered why chest guards are not mandatory for junior cricket. Impact of cricket ball on chest is pretty significant.

Hate to see a real tragedy before rules being brought in. Thoughts?

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(14)60486-4/abstracthttps://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(14)60486-4/abstract

Great article from Greg Chapell about the struggles modern batters are facing.

Are these two day pitches too far?

And is it unfair to blame pitches in the subcontinent if everyone is doctoring pitches to their benefit?

How is everyone’s feelings on having these test matches at the top end? Was it a success or not? Would you like to see more of it in the future?

Personally, I think it’s great and was a success, regardless of the results. It’s a great opportunity for the ‘lesser’ test nations to play in Australia like Zimbabwe and Ireland. Not only Darwin and Mackay have the facilities, we also have venues in Townsville and Cairns that potentially can host Test cricket.

With the future, Skull and Mike Hussey spoke about Top End cricket opens up a window for Test cricket to be played more in Australia. With that and the Top End T20 Cricket series, that opens up another window for cricket to be played in Australia other than the usual November/December/January season.