Labuschagne to captain Queensland in One-Day Cup before South Africa Tests

With his Test place in the balance, Labuschagne will captain Queensland against Victoria at Allan Border Field on Saturday

Marnus Labuschagne will captain Queensland in the One-Day Cup before heading to South Africa for the Test series where his place hangs by a thread.

Labuschagne, who made scores of 1, 31 and 4 against Bangladesh last month, which extended his run to 43 innings without a century - and an average of 25.43 since the end of the 2023 Ashes - will face Victoria at Allan Border Field on Saturday. Queensland have another match against New South Wales next Monday before the Test-only players are due to fly out to South Africa.

Ricky Ponting has been among the former players to say that Labuschagne should have been dropped, while David Warner recently referenced the century-less run in a social media exchange with the Barmy Army.RelatedPonting on Labuschagne's struggles: Well and truly time to look at somebody else

Labuschagne survives for South Africa Tests

Labuschagne's retention highlights Australia's biggest concern

While Labuschagne has been included in the Test squad, chair of selectors George Bailey stopped short of confirming he would retain his spot for the first Test in Durban although it would appear the likeliest option. A return to No. 3 for Steven Smith has been mooted while Cooper Connolly could be a left-field option. Australia have a two-day warm-up match in Potchefstroom early next month before the series.

"Criticism, you bring [that] on yourself as a player because that's performance-based," Labuschagne told 7News. "I'm not getting criticised because of me as a person, they are criticising my performance which in the last two years I have let that happen. People that know me know that every single part of me is doing everything I can to get back to what my best looks like."

Separately, Labuschagne told Code Sports. "I still think I am the best person to bat at No. 3 for Australia. But if someone else offers a different opinion that's up to them. That's their point of view."

Labuschagne was omitted from the ODI squad which is currently in Zimbabwe before heading to South Africa for three matches. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will join for those one-dayers ahead of the Test series.

Labuschagne dominated the One-Day Cup last season with 468 runs in six innings which included four centuries. During his most recent ODI series, against Bangladesh in June, he was pushed down to No. 7 for one of the matches, and Bailey suggested missing that format may aid his Test preparation.

"I think Marn will continue to prepare and refine how he will prepare for this series," Bailey said when the squad was named. "There's potentially a simplification or an ability to focus purely on red-ball cricket for him in the fact that he won't be in the one-day series leading up to it. So that may be a benefit. I'm not sure around that."

The One-Day Cup, which marks the start of the men's domestic season, begins on Friday when Western Australia take on South Australia in Perth. Jake Weatherald, who recently lost his Test place after the opening match against Bangladesh, is part of the visitors' squad having returned to the state during the off-season from Tasmania.

"He's come back really determined to try and force his way back [into the Test side]," South Australia coach Ryan Harris told Cricinfo. "There's been some talk that maybe he won't get back, but sheer weight of runs will dictate that. He knows that. His attitude's been excellent."