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

Marnus Labuschagne survived Australia’s latest selection squeeze. The under-pressure number three remains in the squad for the Test tour of South Africa, even after another difficult run of form.

Labuschagne has not scored a century since 2023. In two home Tests against Bangladesh last month, he managed scores of one, 31 and four. The poor returns then contributed to his omission from Australia’s squad for three one-day internationals in Zimbabwe and three more in South Africa before the Test series.

Selectors nevertheless decided against making a red-ball change. The tour will mark Australia’s first Test series in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal known as “Sandpapergate.”

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This is a reasonably condensed three-game series, on the back of six one-day internationals, with only short breaks between each game.

Cooper Connolly, Matthew Kuhnemann and Michael Neser also joined the 16-man group. Chief selector George Bailey said the team would face a demanding schedule, with three Tests following six one-day internationals and only short breaks between matches.

“This is a reasonably condensed three-game series, on the back of six one-day internationals, with only short breaks between each game,” Bailey said. “The squad provides balance and options for each Test and the variety of conditions we may face.”

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The squad provides balance and options for each Test and the variety of conditions we may face.