SYDNEY — Marnus Labuschagne was retained in Australia’s 16-man squad for next month’s three-test tour of South Africa despite a poor run of form that has raised questions over his international future.
The right-hander, who was born in South Africa, was dropped from Australia’s one-day squad for the southern Africa tour last week but will travel with the test side for matches in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town in October.
All-rounder Cooper Connolly, paceman Michael Neser and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann have been added to the squad that drew 1-1 with Bangladesh in a two-test series last month.
Matthew Renshaw, who replaced Jake Weatherald as Travis Head’s opening partner for the second test, also retains his place.
Labuschagne scored only 36 runs across three innings against Bangladesh, prompting renewed debate over his position at number three. He does, however, have a strong record in South Africa.
“This is a reasonably condensed three-game series, on the back of six one-day internationals, with only short breaks between each game,” chief selector George Bailey said.
“The squad provides balance and options for each test and the variety of conditions we may face.”
The series begins at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Oct. 9 and will be the first test series between the countries in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Australia 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.
