Marnus Labuschagne's Test Spot Snatched Before AUS vs BAN 2nd Test By Former Teammate

Marnus Labuschagne has been struggling with poor form in Tests [Source: AFP]

Experienced Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne had a poor outing with the bat in the first Test against Bangladesh. Coming at number three, Labuschagne managed only 32 runs, as Australia lost the two-match series opener by nine wickets. 

After the demoralising defeat in Darwin, the Aussies made a bold change to their Test squad, replacing Jake Weatherald with Matt Renshaw. While Weatherald made way for Renshaw, Labuschagne retained his place despite his modest returns. 

Now, ahead of the series decider, Marnus Labuschagne's former teammate David Warner believes the former must not be assured of a spot in the Australian Test XI for the upcoming South Africa tour even if he scores a century in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay. 

Marnus Labuschagne must be kept on his toes, believes David Warner

Marnus Labuschagne struck 31 runs in the first innings of the Darwin Test, but followed it up with a single-digit score as Taijul Islam castled him for one run in the second innings. Notably, this is not the first time Labuschagne let the team down with underwhelming outings. 

The right-handed batter had a stellar start to his Test career, but it has only gone downhill since 2023, the year he last scored a century in the format. Since 1st January 2024, Labuschagne has managed only 852 runs at an average of 26.63 in Test cricket. 

Considering his prolonged lean patch in the longest format, David Warner feels Labuschagne must not be guaranteed a spot as Australia's number three batter for the upcoming series against South Africa, even if he scores a century in the series decider against Bangladesh. 

The former opener also empathised with Jake Weatherald, who was dropped from the Australia squad for the second Test in Mackay. 

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David Warner believes Marnus Labuschagne shouldn't be guaranteed a spot in the XI for the South Africa tour even if he scores a century against Bangladesh in Mackay. #AUSvBAN

Aug 20, 2026, 9:12 AM

Reacting to the fact that Labuschagne's last Test century came in 2023 and he averages only 25.23 with the bat since then, Warner posted, "This stat is unheard of. 100 against Bangladesh is not a guarantee of going to South Africa. Last I recall was a great player for Australia averaged 21 after 32 innings at number 4. I feel for Jake (Weatherald)."

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Will a century in Mackay help Marnus Labuschagne retain his Test spot?

Despite struggling for consistency for a significant period, Marnus Labuschagne has received the backing of the selectors, with the Australian think tank yet to discover a long-term replacement for him. 

Having said that, Nathan McSweeney and Kurtis Patterson have joined the race for Australia's new number three, should Labuschagne fail to deliver in the Test series decider against Bangladesh. 

On the contrary, if he scores a century and overcomes the lean patch, Labuschagne will likely retain his spot for the South Africa tour, as the selectors have a tendency to back him due to his past heroics and experience. 

South Africa tour could be a make or break for Labuschagne

Notably, Marnus Labuschagne has never played a Test on South African soil. He has already got a long rope as the number three batter despite blowing hot and cold in Test cricket. A century in Mackay could potentially help him save his Test career. 

But the South Africa tour will indeed be a litmus test for the struggling batter, and Cricket Australia might lose patience and decide to move on from him if he doesn't regain his mojo in the rainbow nation. 

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