Top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne has been named in the Australia squad for next month's three-Test tour of South Africa, despite a recent run of poor form. The 32-year-old, who was dropped from the one-day squad for a southern Africa tour last week, will join the 16-strong party for Tests in Durban, Gqeberha, and Cape Town in October.
Chief selector George Bailey acknowledged the desire for more runs from Labuschagne, stating, “Not shying away from the fact that we'd like some more runs from Marn, that's clear. But we're also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad.” Labuschagne scored 36 runs over three innings in the recent series against Bangladesh.
New additions to the squad include all-rounder Cooper Connolly, paceman Michael Neser, and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann. Neser, who missed the Bangladesh series due to a calf injury, is expected to be fit for the series start in Durban on 9 October. The series opener at Kingsmead will mark the first Test encounter between Australia and South Africa in South Africa since 2018.