Labuschagne Retains Test Spot As Australia Name Squad For SA Tour

By Pramit Meher

**Aus Squad for SA Test Tour: Labuschagne Holds On** Australia have named a 16-man squad for the 3-match Test series vs South Africa (starts Durban, Oct 9), with Marnus Labuschagne keeping his Test spot despite a poor run. The right-hand bat hasn't scored a C since July 2023, averaging just 24.69 in 43 Inn since then. Selectors went for stability after last month's 1-1 draw with Bangladesh. Adds to the otherwise unchanged Mackay-winning squad: Connolly, Kuhnemann and Neser. Connolly (23) looks embedded in the long-term plan after his 149 vs Bangladesh in June. He slots into a strong bat line-up that also has Head, Renshaw, Smith, plus ARs Green and Webster. Key point for WTC race: this is Australia (1st) vs reigning champs SA (2nd) — massively pivotal for next year's decider at The Oval. Also symbolic, being Aussie's first SA tour since the 2018 balltampering saga; only Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Smith & Renshaw remain from that party. **Squad:** C- Pat Cummins; 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. **Fixture:** 1st Test Durban Oct 9-13, 3rd Test Jhb Oct 27-31. Source: Cricketnmore