September 7, 2026 — 10:00amChairman of selectors George Bailey has lamented a lack of runs from Australia’s batsmen in recent matches but backed Marnus Labuschagne to resurrect his Test career after he was included in the touring party for next month’s highly anticipated series in South Africa.Labuschagne has been spared the axe for Australia’s upcoming Test tour, with selectors also naming all-rounder Cooper Connolly in an extended squad as a potential top-order option.Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne.Getty ImagesDespite scores of one, 31 and four in the recent series against Bangladesh – and having not made a Test century in more than three years – Labuschagne will make the trip for Australia’s first Test tour of South Africa since the infamous Sandpapergate series in 2018.Labuschagne, who was last week dropped from Australia’s ODI team, has been named in a 16-man squad ahead of the first Test in Durban on October 9, but Bailey stopped short of guaranteeing his place at No.3.That is not unusual given this selection panel tends to make calls on late in the piece, and particularly because Australia have a two-day warm-up match in Potchefstroom on October 3 and 4, where Labuschagne will get a chance to find some form.But Bailey’s references to Labuschagne contributing to the 16-man “squad”, rather than specifically at No.3, may be a clue that the South African-born batsman could spend plenty of time in the nets like he did a year ago on Australia’s tour of the West Indies.Australia’s Test squad for South Africa tourPat 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)Bailey, however, rejected a suggestion this was Labuschagne’s final chance to shine.“We’re not shying away from the fact that we’d like some more runs from Marn - that’s clear - but we’re also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad,” Bailey told reporters.“Our batting group in its entirety, not just Marn, probably hasn’t been functioning as successfully as we would like. But also not shying away from the fact that we’ve continued to win a lot of Test matches over that period. Ultimately, I think that’s the key.“Marn will continue to prepare and refine how he will prepare for this series. There’s potentially a simplification … to just focus on red ball cricket.Cooper Connolly celebrates scoring a one-day century for Australia in Bangladesh in June.AP Photo/Mosaraf Hossain“In that squad of 16, I’m confident that he can still make a positive contribution … Marn is the incumbent.”Opener Jake Weatherald, who was dropped for Matt Renshaw after Australia’s loss to Bangladesh in Darwin, has again missed selection.Connolly, who has a first-class batting average of 42 from 13 matches, is the big winner in the squad, and Bailey said his phonecall to the 23-year-old informing him of his inclusion was one of the more pleasant ones he has had to make as a selector.If Labuschagne is picked and fails early, Connolly looms as a potential No.3 option despite his limited first-class experience. Bailey said the West Australian had been picked more for his batting than his left-arm orthodox spin, but indicated a move to first drop was more likely in the future than right at the moment.Connolly was “incredibly excited”, according to Bailey, at the prospect of another Test tour after making a low-key debut against Sri Lanka in Galle last year.“He’s still so young in his first-class career, so that will continue to develop,” Bailey said. “He’s got a game that’s well suited to the middle order but no doubt as he matures and continues to grow his game, I think there’s a capacity there where he could bat further up the order.”Australia will take three spin options, with off-spinner Nathan Lyon and left-arm orthodox tweaker Matt Kuhnemann joined by Connolly.Josh Inglis is the reserve wicketkeeper behind Alex Carey but could come into calculations as a specialist batsman, while all-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster have also been named. Michael Neser joins captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as Australia’s fast-bowling options.A condensed schedule – three Tests in 23 days – means Australia may consider rotating their fast bowlers.Bailey said selectors would discuss in due course whether Travis Head should remain at the top of the order and if Steve Smith is better suited to a move back to No.3.One thing is certain: the tourists will be greeted by lively crowds at all three venues, eight years after one of Australian cricket’s darkest days, when Cameron Bancroft took sandpaper onto the field.“It’s been a long time since we played Test cricket over there,” Bailey said. “It’s two pretty strong teams, certainly two very strong bowling attacks. I expect the fans to support that enthusiastically.”News, results and expert analysis from the week in sport sent every Friday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.From our partners