Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Labuschagne’s place in Australia’s Newlands Test team remains uncertain
Australia are preparing for the series-deciding Test against South Africa in Cape Town, starting Tuesday.
Marnus Labuschagne, a leading Australian batter, trained in an unusual way and batted later than usual, deepening uncertainty over his place.
He has made six scores between 30 and 49 in his last nine innings without turning them into a bigger score.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey said Labuschagne is working to convert those starts, while also saying Steve Smith is fit to play despite a recent neck issue.
Cameron Green and Josh Inglis looked like contenders, and Green is expected to return in place of Nic Maddinson, though the final team was not confirmed.
Nathan Lyon also bowled at training, and the dry pitch makes his inclusion more likely.
Australia must choose a team capable of taking 20 wickets and winning the deciding match.
Marnus Labuschagne’s place in Australia’s team for the third Test at Newlands remains uncertain.
His unusual training routine on Sunday fuelled speculation that he could be left out.
Alex Carey said Labuschagne had been frustrated by getting starts without converting them into bigger scores.
Cameron Green and Josh Inglis appeared to be strong contenders to play, while Nathan Lyon’s place also looked likely.
The series-deciding Test in Cape Town is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 27.
- Who
- Marnus Labuschagne and the Australian team.
- What
- Labuschagne’s place in Australia’s Newlands Test team remains uncertain.
- When
- The uncertainty emerged before the third Test, scheduled to begin on October 27, 2026.
- Where
- Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Why
- His selection was questioned after an unusual training session and a run of starts without bigger scores.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cameron Green faced the new ball during an optional Australian training session.
Labuschagne bowled leg-spin, spoke with coach Andrew McDonald and Steve Smith, and batted later than usual in the main training session.
The series-deciding third Test is scheduled to begin in Cape Town.
- Venue
- Newlands, Cape Town
- Test
- Third Test of the series
- Scheduled start
- October 27, 2026
- Labuschagne's recent scores
- Six scores between 30 and 49 in his last nine innings
- Training day
- Sunday, October 25, 2026
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What people are saying
He's really hungry and understanding that his role is to go on and convert those runs.
So, again, (he has to) keep doing what he’s doing, but do it for longer.