Labuschagne avoids the axe as Australia announce Test squad for South Africa

[p]Labuschagne's immediate Test career came under intensifying scrutiny from outside the Australia bubble as his diminishing returns continued with just 36 runs from three innings against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay, a World Test Championship series that was drawn 1-1.[/p][p]The 32-year-old has started more than 40 innings in Test cricket since his last century, which came during the 2023 Ashes tour of England (111 in Manchester).[/p][p]His 959 Test runs since his most recent century have come at an average of just 24.6, with nine half-centuries in 43 starts.[/p][p]Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting recently declared on television that it's time for the selectors to look past Labuschagne, who has struggled with technical deficiencies and confidence issues over a sustained period. [/p][p]However, despite his selection in a wider 16-man touring squad, Labuschagne is not guaranteed to get a start in the first Test in Durban on October 9. [/p][p]Labuschagne is understand to be fighting with 23-year-old rising star Cooper Connolly for the number three slot in the Aussie Test batting lineup. [/p][p]Unlike Labuschagne, Connolly has up to three opportunities to make a formidable case for a Test debut when he plays three lead-up ODIs in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom in the last week of September.[/p][p]Along with left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann and recently injured all-rounder Michael Neser, Connolly has been added to the existing 13-man squad that Australia took to Mackay for their series-levelling win against Bangladesh. [/p][embed guid="025a47b5-4dde-424c-9ade-ab7eec413e23" url="https://x.com/cricketcomau/status/2096752141209894979" social-type="twitter" /][p]It means another opportunity at the top of the order for Queenslander Matt Renshaw, who made 8 in his Test comeback in Mackay.[/p][p]Before speaking to reporters, head selector George Bailey said the "[b]squad provides balance and options for each Test and the variety of conditions we may face[/b]", which includes a match at the typically spin-friendly St George's Park in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth). [/p][p]Surprisingly, it will be Australia's first visit to the rainbow nation for Test cricket since the spicy 'Sandpapergate' incident of 2018, which is sure to be brought up throughout the series as a result.[/p][p]South Africa are the reigning World Test champions after defeating Australia in a 2025 final at Lord's but have not played Test cricket since visiting India in November 2025. [/p][p]They are second on the WTC table on 75%, having won three of their four Tests in the 2025-27 cycle, whilst Australia lead the table on 80% with eight wins and two losses from their ten matches.[/p][p]The Proteas are also hosting Bangladesh and England during the 2025-27 edition as well as travelling to Sri Lanka in February-March 2027.[/p][h2]Australia Test squad to tour South Africa:[/h2][p]Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), [i]Cooper Connolly[/i], Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), [i]Matthew Kuhnemann[/i], Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, [i]Michael Neser[/i], Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster[/p][infobox id="d39bc573-b9dd-4b87-acb9-2de1f22d36c7" /]