Marnus Labuschagne’s batting advisor, Neil D’Costa, has conceded it may be best for the struggling Test cricketer to be dropped for next month’s series against New Zealand, but refused to comment when asked whether mixed messages from Australian team coaches had impacted the No.3’s career.
D’Costa, a long-time batting guru who also helped mould the careers of Michael Clarke and Phillip Hughes, said Labuschagne, 32, needed to determine whether his batting issues over the past three years were a result of technique, execution or tactics.
The Test batter has gone more than three years without a Test century. In a 2-1 series loss to South Africa, he made only 121 runs at 21.83. Close observers have questioned whether his shift to batting on off-stump played a role in his poor campaign.
“I really think it’s a case that Marnus has over-thought this and tried so hard, he has spun himself around that many times, he doesn’t know where he is at,” D’Costa told this masthead on Tuesday. “It might be time to pull the cart off the racetrack, rebuild the engine from scratch and go again … right now, I think that might be the healthiest for him, too, and maybe the team, too.”
Labuschagne’s Test average has dropped from a peak of 63.43 after his 14th Test to 42.64 after 68 Tests. Since the start of 2023, he has averaged 28.87 with one century.
D’Costa was asked whether messaging from team management, including coach and selector Andrew McDonald, to show greater intent had affected Labuschagne’s natural game. “I would rather not comment on all of that,” he replied. He also declined to say why Labuschagne had changed his guard from leg or middle stump to off-stump.
“If runs are currency, Marnus has to be dropped, doesn’t he,” D’Costa said. “If he was to be let go, it would be no surprise to me, or even to him.”
Cricket Australia was contacted for comment.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Labuschagne was the top-ranked Test batter in 2023; his prolonged slump raises questions about selection philosophy for Australia’s upcoming series against New Zealand.
- The public admission from his own batting coach that dropping him may be healthy signals deep internal uncertainty about how to fix a once-dominant player.
- The refusal to address coaching input suggests potential unresolved tension between team management and personal advisors.
Background
Marnus Labuschagne, a South African-born batsman, rose to become the world’s No.1 Test batter in 2023. He has not scored a Test century since early 2023, and his average has fallen from 63.43 to 42.64 over 68 Tests. He was dropped in the Caribbean in 2025 but quickly returned to the side. Neil D’Costa is a renowned batting coach who previously worked with Michael Clarke and Phillip Hughes.
Key Perspectives
Neil D’Costa: Conceded dropping may be best, saying “it might be time to pull the cart off the racetrack, rebuild the engine from scratch.” He refused to comment on whether team coaching messages had affected Labuschagne or why he changed his guard.
Team management (Andrew McDonald): Has encouraged Labuschagne to show greater intent at the crease, according to the report.
What to Watch
- Whether Labuschagne is selected for the four-Test series against New Zealand beginning next month.
- Any public response from Cricket Australia or coach Andrew McDonald on the batting coach’s comments.
- Labuschagne’s next domestic or tour performance if he is dropped, and whether he can regain his earlier form.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedD’Costa says it may be best for Labuschagne to be dropped for next month’s New Zealand series.The Age - Latest News: “Marnus Labuschagne’s batting advisor has conceded it may be best for the struggling Test cricketer to be dropped for next month’s series against New Zealand”
- SupportedD’Costa declined to comment when asked whether mixed messages from Australian team coaches had affected Labuschagne’s career.The Age - Latest News: “but refused to comment when asked whether mixed messages from Australian team coaches had impacted the No.3’s career.”
- SupportedD’Costa said Labuschagne had over-thought his batting and become unsure of himself.The Age - Latest News: ““I really think it’s a case that Marnus has over-thought this and tried so hard, he has spun himself around that many times, he doesn’t know where he is at,” D’Costa told this masthead on Tuesday.”
- SupportedD’Costa said rebuilding from scratch might be healthiest for Labuschagne and possibly the team.The Age - Latest News: ““It might be time to pull the cart off the racetrack, rebuild the engine from scratch and go again … right now, I think that might be the healthiest for him, too, and maybe the team, too.”
- Partly supportedClose observers questioned whether Labuschagne’s move to batting on off-stump contributed to his poor campaign.The Age - Latest News: “Close observers of Labuschagne at a domestic level have also questioned whether Labuschagne’s shift to batting on off-stump had played a role in his poor campaign”
- SupportedLabuschagne scored 121 runs at 21.83 in South Africa’s 2-1 series win over Australia.The Age - Latest News: “in a 2-1 series loss to South Africa, where he made only 121 runs at 21.83”
- SupportedLabuschagne has gone more than three years without a Test century.The Age - Latest News: “and has now gone more than three years without a Test century.”
- SupportedLabuschagne’s Test average fell from a peak of 63.43 in his 14th Test to 42.64 after 68 Tests.The Age - Latest News: “Labuschagne’s Test average has dived from a peak of 63.43 in his 14th Test after scoring 215 against New Zealand in the 2020 New Year’s Test ... to now averaging 42.64 after 68 Tests”
- SupportedSince the start of 2023, Labuschagne has averaged 28.87 with one century.The Age - Latest News: “Since the start of 2023, he has averaged 28.87 with one century.”
- Partly supportedD’Costa said, “If runs are currency, Marnus has to be dropped, doesn’t he,” without including his immediate qualification about selecting Nic Maddinson.The Age - Latest News: ““If runs are currency, Marnus has to be dropped, doesn’t he, but if you are going to pick Nic Maddinson, you are throwing that away, aren’t you?” D’Costa said.”
- SupportedD’Costa said Labuschagne’s release would be no surprise to him or Labuschagne.The Age - Latest News: ““If he [Labuschagne] was to be let go, it would be no surprise to me, or even to him.”