Australia head coach admits Marnus Labuschagne 'hasn't taken his opportunity'
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald admits Marnus Labuschagne "hasn't taken his opportunity" to cement his place in the Test team in the series in South Africa.
Glenn Maxwell retires from international cricket after missing out on Australia selection
The 38-year-old had already retired from ODIs last year but was still made himself available for the shortest format, having last played at the 2026 T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Australia's final match of that tournament, against Oman in February, becomes the last game Maxwell has played for his country after they failed to progress beyond the group stages.
Speaking on the Final Word podcast, Maxwell said: "We probably had numerous discussions before and after the T20 World Cup. And it was it was pretty open ended.
"There wasn't any pressure from that side [Australia team management], and we decided to sort of leave the door open. There was a couple of series that were coming up; they were going to look to the future, and we saw that in Bangladesh with guys getting their opportunity and performing really well."
Maxwell hit the winning runs when Australia were crowned T20 World Cup champions in 2021, while he is also a two-time ODI world champion.
He did have hope of one last international appearance at his home ground in Melbourne at the MCG, but it was ultimately not to be.
Maxwell will be available to play for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL) having had his contract extended to the 2027-28 season.
Maxwell added: "I suppose, a small hope or discussion that I might have been able to potentially get a send-off game at the MCG. But I can completely understand the direction they're going with this squad.
"There's going to be a lot of change, I suppose, over the next 12 to 24 months with the Olympics coming up (in 2028), and they've got to make sure that they get their eyeballs on a few young guys coming through and making sure that they're getting exposed to international pressure that you probably can't always get from a BBL fixture."
Proteas blow Australia away to seal monumental Test series victory at Newlands
The Proteas blew Australia's batting order away on the fifth day of the deciding Test at Newlands, the visitors crumbling to 111 all out as the hosts wrapped up a 176-run victory and a 2-1 series win.
Australia's Steve Smith receives positive injury update after missing Proteas Test
Steve Smith is expected to recover in time for Australia's opening Test against New Zealand in December after medical examinations ruled out significant damage to his neck.
Proteas bowlers toil as Australia take upperhand of deciding Test at Newlands
Australia took the upperhand on the second day of the third and deciding Test against the Proteas at Newlands after the tourists went to stumps on 330-4, a lead of one runs with six wickets remaining.