Australia's head coach, Andrew McDonald, has expressed his confidence in Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, despite their underwhelming performances in the World Test Championship final. Labuschagne, who started his Test career impressively in 2019, has struggled recently, averaging 26.71 in 13 Tests since the beginning of 2024. McDonald believes Labuschagne is a vital part of the team's future, emphasizing the importance of his experience with 60-odd Test matches under his belt. While acknowledging Labuschagne's current disappointment with his returns, McDonald remains optimistic about his potential to bounce back to his best form.

On the other hand, Khawaja, who will turn 39 this December, continues to be seen as an important player in Australia's plans, especially for the upcoming Ashes series. Despite a few failures, McDonald praises Khawaja's work ethic, preparation, and performance in Shield cricket, indicating that he still has plenty of runs left in him. McDonald draws parallels between Khawaja and David Warner, highlighting the positive signs in Khawaja's game and his significant role in the team's future.

Australia is set to embark on a new WTC cycle with a tour of the Caribbean, offering a fresh start and an opportunity to reassess combinations. McDonald emphasizes the importance of understanding the conditions and being flexible with the squad's options, especially with the likelihood of slower surfaces against the West Indies. The team aims to adapt to different conditions while maintaining a balance between stability and flexibility in the batting order, preparing for the challenges ahead.