Australia announce squad for South Africa Tests, selector George Bailey explains Labuschagne's inclusion

Marnus Labuschagne has retained his place in Australia's squad for the three-match Test series against South Africa despite a lean run in the format. The right-handed batter managed scores of 1, 31 and 4 across three innings in the recently concluded two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

He hasn't scored a Test hundred since July 22, 2023 and has also lost his place in Australia's ODI squad for the Zimbabwe and South Africa series. Australia have named the same 13 players who were picked for the Bangladesh series and have only added Matthew Kuhnemann, Michael Neser and Cooper Connolly.

"We're not shying away from the fact that we'd like some more runs from Marn. That's clear," Australia's chairman of selectors George Bailey said on Monday. "But we're also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad.

"I think Marn will continue to prepare and refine how he will prepare for this series. There's potentially a simplification or an ability to focus purely on red-ball cricket for him in the fact that he won't be in the one-day series leading up to it. So that may be a benefit. I'm not sure around that. He'll prepare incredibly well, and specifically for this tour. In that squad of 16, I'm confident that he can still make a positive contribution."

Bailey also feels they can harness Connolly's talent and can flourish in the red-ball format in the days to come. The southpaw has aggregated 800 runs in 13 first-class matches, averaging 42.10, including nine fifties.

"He's a good player, and one I think that's going to continue to develop across formats," Bailey said. "Every time that we've had him on tour, he's a good learner. He's keen to expand his game."

"I think he will be able to," he said. "Whether that's now, whether that's in the future. He's still so young in his career, but I think his ability to bat in a range of positions will continue to grow as he gets more and more experience."

Australia have surprisingly preferred Kuhnemann over Todd Murphy. Murphy was added to the previous Ashes squad following an injury to Nathan Lyon. Pacer Neser has also recovered from his calf strain and will fly to South Africa. Australia toured South Africa previously in 2018 for a red-ball series and were embroiled in the Sandpapergate saga.

Australia squad for Test series against South Africa

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