Despite his poor form with the bat recently, Australia have retained Marnus Labuschagne in their squad for the three-match Test series in South Africa next month.
The team of 16 was revealed on Monday with Labuschagne also in the squad for the Tests in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town in October. He missed out on the one-day team for Australia’s recent southern Africa tour.
Labuschagne’s Test career had been under strain after failing to pick up more than 36 runs in three Test innings in the recent series against Bangladesh.
Australia’s No.3 batting has been in the possession of the 31-year-old for about seven years but his poor returns have questioned his future in the team. He does have a pretty decent record in his Test cricket in South Africa though.
Australia have added three players to the squad as well. Cooper Connolly, Michael Neser and Matthew Kuhnemann are the three additions in the squad, who are all three all-rounders.
Born in South Africa, Neser missed the Bangladesh series due to an injury in his calf. Chief selector George Bailey said that as long as there were no setbacks he would be fit to start the opening Test in Durban on October 9.
Bailey admitted that Australia was looking for more runs from Labuschagne but noted the selectors still believed he could make a positive contribution.
But our batting line-up as a whole — not just Marn — hasn’t been working as effectively as we’d like to be,” Bailey said, noting Australia’s success in Test cricket during that time.
Matthew Renshaw has also retained his spot as he was introduced in the Bangladesh series.
It will be the first Test for Australia in South Africa since the ball tampering affair at Newlands in 2018. Bailey was expecting a lively affair but stressed the emphasis should be on the cricket.
Australia’s players for the series are Pat Cummins, 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.
Source: Reuters via CNA
