Labuschagne retained in Australia squad for South Africa Test tour

Australia have retained Marnus Labuschagne in their 16-player squad for next month’s three-Test tour of South Africa, keeping faith with the specialist batter despite an extended lean period. BBC Sport reported the selection on Monday, while the ICC and Cricket Australia also confirmed the touring party.

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Labuschagne has not scored a Test century since July 2023, making his place the leading selection question before the squad was announced. He was also omitted from Australia’s ODI squads for the preceding series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, but remains in contention for the longer format. Chair of selectors George Bailey indicated that inclusion in the squad does not guarantee a place in the starting XI for the opening Test.

Pat Cummins will captain a group that retains Australia’s experienced pace core of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland. Michael Neser provides another seam-bowling option, while wicketkeepers Alex Carey and Josh Inglis are both included. Matthew Renshaw is the other specialist batting cover alongside regulars Travis Head, Steve Smith and Labuschagne.

The selectors have also brought Cooper Connolly and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann into the group. Kuhnemann joins Nathan Lyon as a second frontline spin option, giving Australia flexibility across three venues. All-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster complete a squad that Cricket Australia described as largely unchanged from the team involved in the recent Bangladesh series.

The Tests will begin at Kingsmead in Durban from October 9 to 13. The second match is scheduled for St George’s Park in Gqeberha from October 18 to 22, followed by the series finale in Cape Town from October 27 to 31. The contest is part of the ICC World Test Championship and will be the teams’ first meeting since South Africa beat Australia in the previous championship final at Lord’s.

Australia’s full squad is Cummins, Boland, Carey, Connolly, Green, Hazlewood, Head, Inglis, Kuhnemann, Labuschagne, Lyon, Neser, Renshaw, Smith, Starc and Webster. The announcement preserves the experienced core while giving selectors several alternatives if they decide to change the batting order or the balance of the attack during the tour.