Selectors Retain Labuschagne as Australia Name Squad for South Africa Test Tour

Australian selectors have retained under-pressure batter Marnus Labuschagne in the Test squad for next month’s tour of South Africa, with chief selector George Bailey hinting at a potential reshuffle in the top order that could see Steve Smith return to his preferred No. 3 position.

A 16-player touring party was announced on Monday, featuring all members of the squad that recently defeated Bangladesh in Mackay. Fast bowler Michael Neser, spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, and batter Cooper Connolly have been added to the group for the series opener in Durban on 9 October.

Bailey expressed confidence in Labuschagne’s ability to contribute as the established No. 3 batsman. “We are not shying away from the fact that we would like some more runs from Marn, that is clear, but we are also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad,” he said.

“Clearly, there is potentially a simplification or an ability to focus purely on red-ball cricket for him, given that he will not be part of the one-day series leading up to the Tests, so that may be a benefit. I am not sure around that, but you know Marn, he will prepare incredibly well and specifically for this tour.”

Labuschagne was the ICC’s top-ranked Test batter in 2023, but has struggled for runs in recent years, with his last century coming during the 2023 Ashes. He averaged just 25 in last summer’s Ashes series and managed scores of 1, 31, and 4 in the recent Tests against Bangladesh.

The 32-year-old will face pressure for his place from Josh Inglis and the 23-year-old Connolly, who has been identified as a rising talent with a bright future ahead of him.

A single warm-up match in Potchefstroom will provide Labuschagne with a crucial opportunity to rediscover his form, while also allowing other players the chance to stake their claim for selection.

“There will be a handful of guys that cross over from the one-day series, there are seven or eight, I think, that are coming over specifically for the Test tour,” Bailey said. “So partly it will be about making sure that everyone is getting the preparation they need to be ready for the first Test.”

Connolly has played one Test for Australia, which took place last year, as well as representing the country in T20 and ODI formats. He will be in South Africa for the ODI series preceding the Tests, having been named in a squad last week that notably omitted Labuschagne.

Connolly scored 216 runs at an average of 31 for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield last season and has a strong first-class record, averaging 42 across 13 matches as a middle-order batter.

Bailey confirmed that selectors would weigh up changes to the batting order, potentially dropping Travis Head down the order and restoring Smith to No. 3. “They are all questions that will be on the table, and that is probably the consideration, isn’t it?” he remarked.

“Any time you make a move, it is about what you are taking away from where they are performing, and that is always going to be a question, particularly around Travis. The success that he had at five, but also the success he has had at the top, and what he provides to the structure of the team there.”

“I think there are always going to be considerations. Steve has batted at three for a large part of his career, has not done it for a little while, and has had success there, so absolutely, that will be a conversation at some point.”

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.

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