Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Labuschagne under pressure as Australia fight to save Gqeberha Test
Australia are trying to save the second Test against South Africa at Gqeberha, after being forced to follow on.
They were 156 for four and 170 runs behind at the end of the fourth day.
Marnus Labuschagne made 39 before losing his wicket with an attacking shot, despite Australia batting to avoid defeat.
He has gone 47 Test innings without a century, and former players and Australia’s coach have criticised his dismissal and recent run of scores.
Australia lead the three-match series 1-0, but a defeat in this Test could increase pressure on the team and its management.
Travis Head and Scott Boland will resume on the final day, with Australia still needing to close the gap and avoid defeat.
Marnus Labuschagne’s latest low score has put his place in Australia’s Test team under scrutiny.
He made 39 in the second innings against South Africa at Gqeberha before losing his wicket with a high-risk shot.
Former Australia batter Simon Katich said several players were playing for their careers.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald said Labuschagne had again failed to turn hard work into a big score.
Australia had been forced to follow on and were 156 for four, still 170 runs behind, at the end of day four.
- Who
- Marnus Labuschagne, Australia’s No. 3 batter, is under scrutiny after another dismissal.
- What
- His repeated failure to convert starts into big scores has raised questions about his Test place.
- When
- October 21, 2026, during the fourth day of the second Test.
- Where
- Gqeberha, South Africa.
- Why
- Labuschagne was out for 39 after a high-risk shot while Australia were trying to save the match.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Labuschagne was dismissed for 14 in Australia’s first innings against South Africa.
After Australia were bowled out for 99 and made to follow on, Labuschagne scored 39 in the second innings before being dismissed.
Australia were 156 for four, trailing South Africa by 170 runs.
- Second Test
- South Africa v Australia at Gqeberha
- Labuschagne’s second-innings score
- 39
- Australia first-innings total
- 99
- South Africa first-innings total
- 425 for nine declared
- Australia’s position at end of day four
- 156 for four, 170 runs behind
- Australia’s series lead
- 1-0 in the three-game series
4 sources
A number of Aussie players are playing for their careers, says Katich as Labuschagne disappoints again
Marnus is in the grips of a cricket curse that once felled Sachin. It may already be too late
Marnus throws away wicket with brain snap
What people are saying
There are a number of players playing for their careers in this innings
I feel like I am on repeat around the amount of 30s that he has got.
You’ve got a finite number of innings in you and you sort of run out.
When you start worrying about getting out, your feet don’t move and you don’t get into the right position
Posts on X
That is not a good way for Marnus Labuschagne to get out, but when it's your second dismissal of the day, you are following on, battling to save the game, and haven't scored a hundred for three years... wowzer
Marnus Labuschagne survives a close LBW call, and the reactions from him and the Australian dressing room tell the whole story 👀😮🏏 📸: Fancode