BREAKING: Marnus learns Aussie Test fate as rising star recalled in shock move
‘Not being coy’ Bailey on Test squad | 04:06
Courtney Walsh and Dane Heverin from Fox SportsSeptember 7th, 2026 10:08 am
Marnus Labuschagne has been handed a reprieve from Australia’s selectors in a stunning show of faith as a 16-man squad was named for next month’s three-Test tour of South Africa.
Labuschagne is set to vie with rising star Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis for a place in Australia’s top order with 23-year-old Connolly recalled to the Test squad after making his debut in Sri Lanka last February.
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Following underwhelming an Ashes series and his struggles against Bangladesh in the Top End last month, Labuschagne’s place in the Australian squad was in peril due to struggling to find anywhere near his best form over the past two years.
His most recent century came in the Ashes tour of England in 2023, but selectors will be hoping Labuschagne can get back to his best as if he was dropped from the starting XI, it would force a reshuffle of Australia’s top order with Connolly and Inglis traditionally serving as middle order players.
For Australia’s first tour of South Africa since
For Australia’s first tour of South Africa since Sandpapergate, Connolly is one of three additions to the Test squad that drew 1-1 with Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay.
The young West Australian has been rewarded for boasting the best first-class average (42.10) of Australia’s next generation of batters despite never scoring a first-class century.
Connolly has emerged in white-ball cricket in 2026, however, with a breakout IPL campaign for the Punjab Kings as well as scoring his maiden ODI century in Bangladesh in June.
His left-arm spin also offers the Australians another
His left-arm spin also offers the Australians another all-round option too – he batted at No.8 against Sri Lanka in his Test debut.
Ashes hero Michael Neser returns to add fast bowling depth behind skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland.
While left arm tweaker Matthew Kuhnemann has been named as Nathan Lyon’s back-up and could play his first Test outside of the subcontinent.
Opener Matthew Renshaw has held his place after
Opener Matthew Renshaw has held his place after replacing Jake Weatherald at the top of the order in Mackay.
So too has all-rounder Beau Webster despite a poor series with the bat against Bangladesh.
“This is a reasonably condensed three-game series, on the back of six one-day internationals, with only short breaks between each game,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said in a statement.
The squad provides balance and options for each
“The squad provides balance and options for each Test and the variety of conditions we may face.”
Australia plays the first Test of its three match tour against South Africa in Durban from October 9, with the second Test to be held in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, with the final outing in Cape Town in late October.
Labuschagne dropped from ODI squad | 02:23
Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)
Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Cooper Connolly (WA/Scarborough Cricket Club)
Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Matthew Kuhnemann (TAS/Clarence Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)
Michael Neser (QLD/Gold Coast Cricket Club)
Matthew Renshaw (QLD/Toombul Cricket Club)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Beau Webster (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
