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Courtney Walsh from Fox SportsSeptember 1st, 2026 10:32 am
While an Australian legend believes Marnus Labuschagne’s hold on a pivotal top-order spot is untenable, the Queenslander is reportedly poised to still be selected for the Test squad to tour South Africa in October.
The 32-year-old was on Tuesday omitted from the one-day squad announced to tour Zimbabwe and South Africabut may still be included in the squad still to be named for the three-Test series.
It comes as former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said overnight the 32-year-old, who failed to fire against Bangladesh after a below-par Ashes last summer, had clear technical issues that needed rectifying, with his inability to score off the back foot an issue.
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The critique comes at a time where theCODE Sportsis reporting Labuschagne will indeed be picked for the Test squad for the highly-anticipated series, with the tourists set to be confirmed by midway through September.
Chief Australian selector George Bailey, however, gave little away about Labuschagne’s Test fate when asked about his omission from the one-day squad on Tuesday.
“Separating those formats out. (This) was a one-day cricket conversation,” Bailey said.
I think this is a pretty important tour
“I think this is a pretty important tour for us. Zimbabwe and South Africa is where the World Cup will be played.
“There’s not a whole lot of games and the opportunity is well deserved to those other players who’ve been selected.”
“… Marn, he’s played some really important one-day cricket at this best.
“But the way this squad was shaping up and what it looks like, there was no room for him.”
Labuschagne facing axe after Bangladesh | 01:06
Ponting, who identified a critical flaw in Labuschagne’s
Ponting, who identified a critical flaw in Labuschagne’s current make-up during the Bangladesh series when saying he was affording rival bowlers too great an area for error with his struggles to score off the back foot, is worried for his future.
“This has been a very dominant side for a long period of time, but I think they have been carrying a few guys through the last couple of years,“ Ponting told Sky Sportsin England.
“I think it is inevitable that change is made going to South Africa. Labuschagne’s spot in the side is almost untenable, so they have to look at someone at no. 3.
Eventually they will also want Travis Head back
“Eventually they will also want Travis Head back at No. 5 rather than opening, so that could present a chance for a youngster to come in and open the batting. It won’t be easy against that South Africa attack, but we have got to the point where we have to try something. I don’t think we are going to get any worse or lose anything and may just unearth a really good talent.”
While Ponting said it was possible a younger opener would be considered alongside Matt Renshaw for the South Africa tour, Fox Cricket expert pundits flagged during the Mackay win over Bangladesh that it was possible Labuschagne could open.
Before Labuschagne fell in unlucky fashion in Mackay, Mark Waugh said he would have reshuffled the top order, which would afford a reprieve to the struggling star.
(The solution might be) changing the batting order
“(The solution might be) changing the batting order around a bit,” Waugh said on Kayo Sports coverage of the Bangladesh series.
“Can Steve Smith bat at three and Travis Head at four? Then you would have to find another opener. There are a lot of questions.
“Why? Because I think your best batsman should be batting at No.3. That is Steve Smith. I think Travis Head is better down the order. I know he’s opening and he’s done a reasonable job, but I don’t see him as a long-term owner … and he is out of form a bit, Travis Head, so I’d like to see him back in the middle order.”
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Source: www.foxsports.com.au
