Australian cricket selectors have retained struggling batter Marnus Labuschagne in the 16-member Test squad for the upcoming three-match tour of South Africa starting next month. Chairman of Selectors George Bailey also handed a surprise inclusion to 23-year-old batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly on 7 September 2026.
The tour marks Australia’s first Test trip to South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in Gqeberha. This series will carry heavy significance for the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Australia currently holds first place, while reigning champions South Africa sit in second place.
Marnus Labuschagne has kept his place in Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming three-match tour of South Africa pic.twitter.com/6yIMaANS7u
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) September 7, 2026
Selectors Retain Labuschagne Despite Slump
The selection panel included the 32-year-old Labuschagne despite growing criticism of his batting performances. Labuschagne last scored a Test century in July 2023. Across his last 43 Test innings, he has averaged just 24.69.
His low scores recently cost him his spot in Australia’s One-Day International (ODI) squad for the matches against South Africa and Zimbabwe. During Australia’s most recent Test series against Bangladesh in Mackay, Labuschagne made scores of only 1, 31, and 4.
Marnus Labuschagne’s last Test century came three years ago. He returned scores of 1, 31 and 4 in the two Tests against Bangladesh, and recently lost his ODI spot.
But the No.3 batter holds on in Tests. https://t.co/hyvhbhl2jD pic.twitter.com/9cE88cCDt5
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 7, 2026
George Bailey defended the decision to retain the regular number three batter.
“We are not shying away from the fact that we would like some more runs from Marn,” Bailey said in an official statement. “But we are also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad.”
Surprise Selection for Cooper Connolly
Selectors handed a surprise call-up to Western Australia’s Cooper Connolly to provide middle-order cover. The 23-year-old left-handed batter possesses very little experience in first-class cricket. Connolly averages 42 across 13 first-class matches. He scored 216 runs at an average of 31 during the last Sheffield Shield season.
Connolly has not yet scored a first-class century and has batted at number three only once in his career. Western Australia even dropped him from their final Sheffield Shield game last summer. However, Bailey remains confident in Connolly’s long-term batting potential.
“I think he’s got a game that is well suited to the middle order,” Bailey said. “As he matures and continues to grow his game, there is a capacity where he could bat further up the order.”
Connolly played his only previous Test match last year against Sri Lanka. His inclusion also gives Australia an extra spin option, even though South African conditions rarely suit spin bowlers.
Squad Additions and Possible Order Changes
The selectors added Michael Neser and Matthew Kuhnemann to the squad after both missed the Bangladesh series. Neser returns after recovering from a calf strain he suffered in early August. His return gives Australia five frontline fast bowlers, alongside Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland. Kuhnemann will support main spinner Nathan Lyon.
“Steve has batted at three for a large part of his career, hasn’t done it for a little while and has had success there,” Bailey said. “So absolutely, that will be a conversation at some point.”
Australia’s Full 16-Man Test Squad: Pat Cummins (Captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
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