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Marnus Labuschagne has been struggling with poor form in recent times. The Australia National Cricket Team batter has failed to score a half-century in his last five matches in the traditional format of the game and thus has been criticised by former cricketers. Amidst this, the Cricket Australia (CA) selectors have picked him for the South Africa series.
The Aussies recently drew the series against Bangladesh; they came back strong in Mackay after losing the first Test match at MCG2 in Darwin. However, the batting has been one of the concerns for the team and the management. The batters have not performed as per the expectations, and another thing is the growing age of the players.
Australia to continue with Marnus Labuschagne at No.3
According to the reports from CODE Sports, the selection panel, led by George Bailey, is set to continue with Marnus Labuschagne as the No.3 batter for the side in the traditional format. Despite criticism from former cricketers like Ricky Ponting, who labelled Labuschagne’s position in the side "almost untenable", the selection committee wants to back the 32-year-old veteran batter for another series.
The selection chairman, George Bailey, is likely to officially confirm the team on Tuesday. Both captain Pat Cummins and head coach Andrew McDonald have stood firm behind Labuschagne, justifying his recent preparation and form. They feel that the veteran batter will be one of the most important batters for the forthcoming away series in the Rainbow Nation.
Marnus Labuschagne's recent form
Labuschagne has been struggling with form in the last series against Bangladesh; in the first match, he scored 1 and 31 runs, respectively. In the second match, he was unlucky with the way he was dismissed for 4 runs off 8 deliveries at Mackay in the most unfortunate way, as the ball, sliding down the leg-side, struck his thigh pad before rattling into the stumps.
Marnus Labuschagne last scored a Test century in July 2023 at Old Trafford and, since then, at the start of the 2023-24 season, his average has come down to 25.43, which is a warning sign as he has scored zero fifties (0 fifties) in his last 10 Test innings. He has now gone 43 Test innings without a century, entering an unwanted list.
Homecoming for Marnus Labuschagne
The Aussie batter was once the No.1 Test batter and has now slid down to equal 38 position in the ICC rankings. The forthcoming South Africa series holds unique personal significance for Labuschagne.
He was born in Klerksdorp, South Africa; he immigrated to Australia with his family at the age of 10. Despite playing against them previously in Australia, this will mark the very first time he will play Test cricket on South African soil.
The three-Test series is scheduled to kick off with the first Test in Durban on October 9, 2026. Before the Test series, Australia have lined up for an ODI series against Zimbabwe and then South Africa. This will be a big series for the Kangaroos, keeping in mind their recent form.
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