Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Cummins Withholds Labuschagne Guarantee as Carey Offers Support
Marnus Labuschagne has not scored many runs for Australia recently.
He averaged only 12 runs in two Tests against Bangladesh.
Since the beginning of 2023, he has scored just one century.
Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, said no player could be guaranteed a place.
Cummins said Labuschagne has been working well away from matches.
However, he added that Labuschagne needs to score more runs during games.
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey spoke up in support of Labuschagne.
Australia will next play three Tests in South Africa in October.
Marnus Labuschagne averaged 12 across Australia’s two home Tests against Bangladesh.
His recent decline includes one century and 1,659 runs at under 30 per innings since the start of 2023.
Pat Cummins said he could not guarantee Labuschagne’s place in the team.
Cummins praised Labuschagne’s work away from the field but said he must convert that into runs.
Alex Carey defended his teammate ahead of Australia’s three-Test South Africa series in October.
- Who
- Marnus Labuschagne, Pat Cummins, Alex Carey and the Australian cricket team.
- What
- Australia is assessing Labuschagne’s place after a prolonged period of poor batting form.
- When
- The comments came after Australia’s series-levelling win over Bangladesh; Australia’s next Test series is scheduled for October.
- Where
- The Bangladesh series included matches in Australia, including Mackay and Darwin; the next series will be in South Africa.
- Why
- Labuschagne’s selection is under scrutiny because of his low scores and limited run production since the start of 2023.
Selection Concerns
Teammate Support
Labuschagne’s place in the team
Selection Concerns
Pat Cummins refused to guarantee Labuschagne’s position, citing his lack of runs and need to convert opportunities.
Teammate Support
Alex Carey voiced support for Labuschagne, defending him as Australia considers its batting lineup for South Africa.
- Recent average
- Labuschagne averaged 12 in Australia’s two home Tests against Bangladesh.
- Form since 2023
- He has scored one century and 1,659 runs at less than 30 runs per innings since the start of 2023.
- Cummins’ position
- The captain said he could not guarantee any player’s place.
- Cummins’ assessment
- He said Labuschagne has been batting well off the field but must turn that into runs.
- Next assignment
- Australia is due to play a three-Test series in South Africa in October.
- Series result
- Australia levelled the Bangladesh series with an innings-and-51-run victory at Mackay.