Australia will play their first-ever match in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) as they aim to reclaim their crown with a clash against West Indies in the first of three Test matches in the Frank Worrell Trophy at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

However, the 2023 champions will be without star batters Steve Smith and Marnus Labushagne, with Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis taking their place in the playing XI that played in the 2025 WTC final against South Africa earlier this month at Lord's.

Kontas will open the batting with Usman Khawaja, as Cameron Green has retained the number three spot, while Inglis will bat at Smith's number four position.

Smith, who is arguably the greatest Test batter of this generation, is missing out due to an injury. The ex-Australian captain suffered a finger injury during the WTC final. The incident happened as Smith was standing on slips in a closer-than-normal position and dropped a catch of Temba Bavuma in the second innings.

Smith could still feature in the next two matches, but a decision is yet to be made.

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

Meanwhile, Labushagne, who is the second-highest run-getter in WTC history, has been dropped after an extended run of poor form. Since the start of 2024, Labushagne has just 593 runs in 13 Test at an average of 26.95.His last century came in 2023.

“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. 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," said Bailey.

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