Sports
Australia Retains Struggling Labuschagne for South Africa Test Series Amid Squad Refresh
Marnus Labuschagne has held onto his place as Australia's No.3 Test batter for the upcoming tour of South Africa, despite recent poor form. The two nations will contest three red-ball matches beginning October 9, following the ODI portion of the tour. This series marks Australia's first Test appearance in South Africa since the controversial 2018 tour, which was overshadowed by the ball-tampering scandal. Only five players from that squad remain active: captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith, and Matthew Renshaw, who was called up as a late replacement in 2018 following suspensions handed to David Warner, Smith, and Cameron Bancroft. Speculation had mounted that Australia would make sweeping changes after a loss to Bangladesh in Darwin, with particular scrutiny on Labuschagne's position. While Cricket Australia excluded him from the ODI squad, he was kept in the Test lineup despite scoring just 1, 31, and 4 runs across the two Tests against Bangladesh. His last Test century dates back three years to a match in Manchester. The full Test squad includes: 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, and Beau Webster. Rather than making drastic alterations, Cricket Australia opted for measured changes, bringing in Cooper Connolly, who impressed in his lone Test appearance during last year's tour of Sri Lanka. Matthew Kuhnemann and Michael Neser were also added to the squad. Kuhnemann's left-arm spin will provide balance alongside off-spinner Nathan Lyon, while Neser's all-round capabilities are expected to prove valuable on South African pitches. Neser, who missed the Bangladesh series due to a calf injury, returns to the squad after a standout Ashes campaign in 2025-26 where he claimed 15 wickets in three matches. He may now have the opportunity to play in the country of his birth. Renshaw retains his role as Travis Head's opening partner, having replaced Jake Weatherald following the Darwin defeat. He earned his spot for the Mackay Test after a strong Sheffield Shield season as an opener, including three centuries in ten innings. Although he managed only eight runs in his sole innings at Mackay, selectors have opted to continue backing him for the South Africa tour. The three-match series will open at Kingsmead in Durban on October 9, move to St. George's Park in Gqeberha starting October 18, and conclude at Newlands in Cape Town from October 27.