Marnus Labuschagne included in Australia's 16-man Test squad for South Africa tour
Quick Look
- Marnus Labuschagne, born in South Africa and raised there for his first decade, has been selected for Australia's 16-man Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa, despite criticism over his century drought and omission from limited-overs teams.
- The squad includes other South Africa-born players Cooper Connolly, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Michael Neser, with Tests scheduled in Durban, Gqeberha, and Cape Town in October.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Marnus Labuschagne was born in South Africa and lived there for the first 10 years of his life before moving to Australia. He has not scored a Test century in over three years, leading to calls for his omission from the team.
Marnus Labuschagne will travel to South Africa for next month's Test tour of South Africa after being named in a 16-man squad.
There have been calls for the number three to be dropped after more than three years without a Test century, but the 32-year-old has kept his spot for the tour despite being left out of the limited-overs sides.
Labuschagne has never played a Test in South Africa, where he was born and spent the first 10 years of his life.
Big-hitting Cooper Connolly, spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and seamer Michael Neser, another South Africa-born Australian, have been added to the group that contested the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay last month.
Australia's men's team will play Tests in Durban (October 9-13), Gqeberha (October 18-22) and Cape Town (October 27-31).
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), 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, Beau Webster
Open Questions
- Will Labuschagne break his Test century drought during the South Africa tour?
- How will the South Africa-born players perform in familiar conditions?
- What is the long-term plan for Labuschagne's position in the batting order?