Australia Retain Labuschagne for South Africa Tests as Connolly Gets Surprise Call-Up

Marnus Labuschagne has retained his place in Australia's Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa despite a prolonged run of poor form. The experienced batter remains one of the most talked-about selections in the 16-member squad, while young all-rounder Cooper Connolly has earned a surprise call-up.

Labuschagne's recent numbers have been far from convincing. He has failed to score a fifty in his last 10 innings and has gone more than three years without a Test century. In Australia's most recent series against Bangladesh, he scored just 1, 31 and 4 across three innings.

His last Test century came in July 2023, 43 innings ago, and his batting average during that period has dropped to just 24.69.

Despite those struggles, Australia's selectors have decided to give the former world No. 1 Test batter another opportunity. Former captain Ricky Ponting had openly suggested during the Bangladesh series that Labuschagne should have been dropped much earlier. He was also left out of Australia's ODI squad for the South Africa series, but the selectors have retained him for the Tests.

Chief selector George Bailey said the team still believes Labuschagne can make a positive contribution.

“We want more runs from Marn, there’s no denying that,” Bailey said. “But we’re also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to the squad.”

Bailey also suggested that missing the ODI series could benefit Labuschagne by allowing him to focus entirely on red-ball cricket and prepare specifically for the Test series.

Meanwhile, Cooper Connolly has been included in the squad as one of the biggest surprises. The young all-rounder has regularly featured in Australia's limited-overs teams and made his Test debut against Sri Lanka last year. Although he failed to make an impact in his only innings in that match, selectors have continued to back his potential.

Michael Neser has also returned to the Test squad after an impressive Ashes campaign. Matt Renshaw, who returned to the side during the second Test against Bangladesh, has retained his place as well. Josh Inglis remains Australia's second wicketkeeper-batter behind Alex Carey.

In the spin department, left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann has been selected alongside veteran Nathan Lyon. Todd Murphy had featured when Lyon was ruled out with injury during the Ashes, but Kuhnemann has now been preferred as the second spinner.

Australia's three-match Test series against South Africa begins on October 9. It will be Australia's first tour of South Africa since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal.

Australia Test 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, Matt Renshaw, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc and Beau Webster.