Under-Fire Labuschagne Retained in Australia’s Test Squad for South Africa

Marnus Labuschagne has received a reprieve from Australia’s selectors despite a prolonged run drought and a poor showing against Bangladesh. The number three has not scored a century since 2023 and made only one, 31 and four in Australia’s two home Tests against Bangladesh last month.

“

We’re not shying away from the fact that we’d like some more runs from Marn, but we’re also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad.

He was dropped from the squads for six one-day internationals in Zimbabwe and South Africa. But selectors kept him in the red-ball group for Australia’s first Test series in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Chief selector George Bailey acknowledged the concern over Labuschagne’s form while rejecting the idea that the tour represented a final chance.

Australia’s 16-man squad also includes all-rounder Cooper Connolly, spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and pace bowler Michael Neser. Connolly’s selection points to his status as a long-term prospect, with batting his main role and a possible place in the middle order or at number three. Kuhnemann was preferred to Todd Murphy as Nathan Lyon’s second spinner, while Neser offers cover for Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.

“

Our batting group in its entirety, not just Marn, probably hasn’t been functioning as successfully as we would like.

The first Test starts in Durban on Oct. 9, followed by matches in Gqeberha and Cape Town. Only Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, Steve Smith and Matt Renshaw remain from Australia’s previous Test tour of South Africa. That series ended with Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft sent home after conspiring to alter the ball with sandpaper. Smith and Warner received 12-month suspensions, while Smith also lost the captaincy and Warner was stripped of leadership roles.

“

No, I wouldn’t say that. But again, it’s a hypothetical, isn’t it?