Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Labuschagne Retained Despite Poor Form For South Africa Tests
Australia has chosen 16 cricketers for three Test matches against South Africa.
Marnus Labuschagne is included even though he has not scored many runs recently.
He made only 36 runs in three innings against Bangladesh.
Some people thought Australia should leave him out.
Chief selector George Bailey said Labuschagne could still help the team.
Pat Cummins will captain Australia.
The first match will be played in Durban on October 9, 2026.
The other matches will be in Gqeberha and Cape Town.
Three players, Cooper Connolly, Michael Neser and Matthew Kuhnemann, have joined the squad after missing the Bangladesh series.
Marnus Labuschagne retained his place in Australia’s 16-member squad for three Tests against South Africa.
Pat Cummins will captain the series, which begins in Durban on October 9, 2026.
The remaining Tests are scheduled for Gqeberha from October 18-22 and Cape Town from October 27-31.
Cooper Connolly, Michael Neser and Matthew Kuhnemann have been added after missing the Bangladesh series.
Labuschagne’s 36 runs in three Bangladesh innings prompted calls for his exclusion, but selector George Bailey backed his potential contribution.
- Who
- Australia’s men’s cricket team, captained by Pat Cummins, will play South Africa.
- What
- Cricket Australia named a 16-member squad for a three-match Test series.
- When
- The squad was announced on September 7, 2026; the Tests are scheduled for October 9-31, 2026.
- Where
- The matches will be played at Kingsmead in Durban, St George’s Park in Gqeberha and Newlands in Cape Town.
- Why
- The selectors said the squad provides balance and options for the different conditions in South Africa, while retaining Labuschagne despite criticism of his form.
Selectors’ Case
Critics’ Case
Marnus Labuschagne’s selection
Selectors’ Case
Chief selector George Bailey acknowledged that Australia wants more runs from Labuschagne but said the selectors remain confident he can make a positive contribution. He also noted that Australia’s batting group as a whole has not performed as successfully as desired.
Critics’ Case
Critics questioned Labuschagne’s place because of his poor form since 2023 and his 36 runs across three innings in the Bangladesh series.
Squad balance
Selectors’ Case
Cricket Australia said the squad offers balance and options for the variety of conditions expected in South Africa, with additional choices in batting, pace bowling and spin.
Critics’ Case
The omission of opening batter Jake Weatherald was viewed as a notable decision, particularly for Australia’s first Test tour of South Africa since 2018.
Michael Neser’s availability
Selectors’ Case
Bailey said Neser, who missed the Bangladesh series with a calf injury, should be ready for the Durban Test barring setbacks.
Critics’ Case
Neser’s fitness remained dependent on his successful return to bowling and rebuilding his workload before the series.
- Squad size
- 16 players
- Captain
- Pat Cummins
- Series
- Three Test matches between Australia and South Africa
- First Test
- October 9, 2026, at Kingsmead in Durban
- Second Test
- October 18-22, 2026, at St George’s Park in Gqeberha
- Third Test
- October 27-31, 2026, at Newlands in Cape Town
- Notable selection
- Marnus Labuschagne was retained after scoring 36 runs in three innings against Bangladesh
