Labuschagne Retains Test Spot As Australia Name Squad For SA Tour

Aus Squad for SA Test Tour: Labuschagne Holds On

Australia have named a 16-man squad for the 3-match Test series vs South Africa (starts Durban, Oct 9), with Marnus Labuschagne keeping his Test spot despite a poor run. The right-hand bat hasn't scored a C since July 2023, averaging just 24.69 in 43 Inn since then.

Selectors went for stability after last month's 1-1 draw with Bangladesh. Adds to the otherwise unchanged Mackay-winning squad: Connolly, Kuhnemann and Neser.

Connolly (23) looks embedded in the long-term plan after his 149 vs Bangladesh in June. He slots into a strong bat line-up that also has Head, Renshaw, Smith, plus ARs Green and Webster.

Key point for WTC race: this is Australia (1st) vs reigning champs SA (2nd) — massively pivotal for next year's decider at The Oval. Also symbolic, being Aussie's first SA tour since the 2018 balltampering saga; only Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Smith & Renshaw remain from that party.

Squad: C- 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, Beau Webster.

Fixture: 1st Test Durban Oct 9-13, 3rd Test Jhb Oct 27-31.

Source: Cricketnmore