Sydney, Sept 7:
Australia have retained under-pressure top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne in their 16-member squad for next month’s three-Test tour of South Africa, despite his prolonged run of poor form.
Labuschagne, who was recently dropped from Australia’s one-day squad for the southern Africa tour, has been backed to retain his place at No. 3 for the Test series beginning in Durban on October 9.
The right-hander scored only 36 runs across three innings in Australia’s recent Test series against Bangladesh, increasing pressure on his position in the team. He has also not scored a Test century since July 2023.
Australia’s selectors, however, have opted to continue their faith in the 32-year-old, pointing to his record in South African conditions and his experience at the highest level.
Chief selector George Bailey acknowledged that Australia needed more runs from Labuschagne but said the selectors remained confident that he could make a positive contribution.
The squad includes captain Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Beau Webster.
Three players — Connolly, Kuhnemann and Neser — have been added to the group that played Bangladesh. Connolly is being considered primarily for his middle-order batting, while left-arm spinner Kuhnemann gives Australia an additional spin option alongside Lyon.
Neser, who was born in South Africa, missed the Bangladesh series because of a calf injury. Bailey said he was expected to be fit for the opening Test, subject to his rehabilitation progressing without setbacks.
Matthew Renshaw has also retained his place after replacing Jake Weatherald as Travis Head’s opening partner for the second Test against Bangladesh.
The three-match series will be played at Durban from October 9-13, Gqeberha from October 18-22 and Johannesburg from October 27-31.
The tour will be Australia’s first Test series in South Africa since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Only five members of the current squad — Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Smith and Renshaw — have previously been part of an Australian Test touring party to South Africa.
The series is also important in the context of the World Test Championship. Australia currently lead the WTC standings, with defending champions South Africa in second, making the three Tests significant in the race for qualification for next year’s final.