Australia National Cricket Team head coach Andrew McDonald has come out in support of under-fire batter Marnus Labuschagne despite his flop show on the recent South Africa tour. Marnus Labuschagne’s place in the Australian Test team is under serious threat for the New Zealand Tests.

Labuschagne failed to make an impact in the third and final Test in Cape Town, scoring just 0 and 4 during Australia's 176-run defeat against South Africa. His poor performance has increased pressure on the selectors, and he is now highly likely to miss the Test series against New Zealand at home. Earlier, Cricket Australia name squads for England series; Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood rested.

Simon Katich questions Australia's selection policy for Marnus Labuschagne

Andrew McDonald admitted that Marnus Labuschagne failed to make the most of the opportunities given to him during the recent three-match Test series in South Africa. His Cape Town horror has further put his place in the Test team in danger zone, with his average falling to 24.31 across his last 49 Test innings.

The 32-year-old has also gone almost three-and-a-half years without scoring a Test century. Since returning to the Australian Test team for last season's Ashes, he failed to score even a fifty in 16 Test innings and averaged only 23.66.

Given his poor run of form with the bat, Labuschagne’s continued selection has received strong criticism from the fans, media, and former cricketers, especially after Australia's heavy defeat in Cape Town. Former Australia opener Simon Katich even criticised the selection panel, which includes George Bailey, McDonald and Tony Dodemaide, for not dropping Labuschagne earlier.

He felt the selectors had put the Queensland batter under unnecessary pressure by continuing to pick him despite his poor performances. Katich said on SEN: “What they've got more horribly wrong is they've potentially crucified a bloke's career … He might not come back from this.”

Andrew McDonald hits back at critics over repeated chances for Marnus Labuschagne

However, McDonald refused to accept that giving Marnus Labuschagne repeated chances had harmed his career. The Australia head coach believes that getting an opportunity to represent the country is never a bad thing, even when a player is struggling for runs. Amid this, Steve Smith expected to return for New Zealand Tests as Andrew McDonald breaks silence on injury concern.

Andrew McDonald said at the post-match press conference, as reported by Cricinfo, “What I can say is that any opportunity that you get to play for Australia, I don't think damages you. I think there's even been critiquing of some of our younger players where they've been placed and the harm that that may cause to their careers and things like that.”

McDonald explained that Australia had full faith in Labuschagne when they selected him for the South Africa tour. He stressed that he remains a quality player. The coach added, “We believed in Marnus for this tour. We'll have to reassess that as we move forward. Others will sit there and say what that means for him. There'll be a lot of speculation. There's still a very good cricketer there. Every time he drops back to state level, he outperforms the others.”

Andrew McDonald hints at big decision on Marnus Labuschagne's Test future

At the same time, McDonald admitted that the Australian team management and selectors will have to reassess Labuschagne's place in the Test side in the coming days.

He made it clear that the batter had missed important opportunities on this tour, but Australia would not make a rushed decision under pressure or because of the emotions and criticism.

McDonald signed off by saying, “He's had some opportunities that he's missed on this tour in particular, so that'll be something in the next week or so that we'll get our heads around. We're not in a rush to make decisions. There's too much emotion. But, as I said, he hasn't taken his opportunity on this tour.”