Australia Test Squad Vs South Africa Announced, Marnus Labuschagne Retained

Cummins retains Labuschagne for South Africa Tests [Source: AFP]After a not-so-impressive red-ball performance against Bangladesh at home, WTC table toppers Australia will travel to South Africa for the first time since 2018 to play a three-match Test series, starting October 9 in Durban.The Pat Cummins-led side were lacklustre against Bangladesh, and now they face a stern South African Test away from home. Cricket Australia, on Monday, announced the 16-member Test squad, and surprisingly, Marnus Labuschagne retains his place.Marnus Labuschagne retains his place despite poor numbersIn a surprising turn of events, Australia have retained Marnus Labuschagne in the Test team despite his poor numbers in the last 3 years. He was selected by Cricket Australia despite performing poorly against the Tigers with scores of 1, 31 and 4 in the three innings that he played.His most recent Test century came in The Ashes 2023 against England, and in his last 43 innings, the number 3 batter has averaged just 24.69. However, this could probably be Labuschagne’s last chance to redeem himself, as there are other batters waiting in the wings to snatch his Test spot.ODI star Cooper Connolly gets a place in Test teamCooper Connolly, the Australian all-rounder, last played a Test match for his nation in February 2025, and he, too, gets a call-up as the management is looking to build a team for the future.In his debut Test, Connolly played more as a spin-bowling all-rounder at number 8, but his recent ODI exploits with the bat have earned him an opportunity to cement his place in the Test team as several spots are still to be filled.The 23-year-old averages 42 in first-class cricket, with 800 runs in 13 matches, and he’ll be fighting for the all-rounders’ spot in the middle order.5 pacers picked by Australia for South Africa TestsThe South African wickets have traditionally assisted the pacers, and the trend is set to continue as the Australians have picked five proper front-line pacers. Also Read: Marnus Labuschagne Out Of 2027 World Cup As Australia Lock In ODI Squad vs South Africa, ZimbabwePat Cummins will lead the team, and alongside him, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, and the returning Michael Neser have also been drafted into the squad.A calf injury ruled Neser out of the home series against Bangladesh, but the pacer marks his return as he earns a place in the Test squad for the South Africa tour.However, he is most likely to sit out as others are ahead in the pecking order for selection in the Australian playing XI.Australia to tour South Africa for the first time since Sandpaper Gate incidentAustralia last toured South Africa in 2018, and it has been eight years since the Kangaroos landed on the South African shores to play red-ball cricket.Their last tour was marred by controversy as Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft, and David Warner were involved in the Sandpaper Gate incident, and the trio was banned by Cricket Australia. During the third Test in Cape Town, Bancroft was caught on live camera using a yellow substance to roughen up one side of the ball.The goal was to damage the ball to create reverse swing. This incident created a rift between the two boards, and while the Proteas have toured Australia for a Test tour, this is the first time the Aussies will travel to South Africa since that event.Australia squad for Test series against South AfricaPat Cummins (c), 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 WebsterAlso Read: Mitchell Santner’s Batting Evolution Could Give Mumbai Indians Much-Needed Boost