Daijiworld Media Network - Sydney
Sydney, Sep 7: Australia have announced a 16-member squad for their three-match ICC World Test Championship series against South Africa next month, with out-of-form batter Marnus Labuschagne retaining his place despite his prolonged run without a Test century.
The series will be Australia's first Test assignment against South Africa since last year's World Test Championship final at Lord's, where South Africa defeated the defending champions to claim the WTC mace. The upcoming series will be crucial in the race for a place in next year's World Test Championship final at The Oval.
Labuschagne has not scored a Test century since the 2023 Ashes and has faced increasing pressure over his place in the side. He was recently omitted from Australia's limited-overs squads but has been retained for the Test tour. Chief selector George Bailey said there were no guarantees that the 32-year-old would necessarily feature in the playing XI for the opening Test, with the selectors keeping their options open.
The batting group includes Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis, while Cameron Green and Beau Webster provide all-round options. Australia have also retained their experienced pace attack, with captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Michael Neser among the bowling options.
Connolly, spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and seamer Neser are the three additions to the group that featured in Australia's recent home Test series against Bangladesh. Neser has returned from a calf injury, while Kuhnemann gives Australia another specialist spin option alongside Nathan Lyon.
Bailey said the squad had been selected with the condensed nature of the tour and the varying conditions expected across South Africa in mind.
"This is a reasonably condensed three-game series, on the back of six one-day internationals, with only short breaks between each game. The squad provides balance and options for each Test and the variety of conditions we may face," Bailey said.
The tour will mark Australia's first Test series in South Africa since the controversial 2018 tour, which was overshadowed by the ball-tampering scandal. Only five members of the current touring party — Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Smith and Renshaw — have previously been part of an Australian Test touring squad to South Africa.
Australia currently occupy the top position in the World Test Championship standings, while defending champions South Africa are also firmly in contention for another appearance in the final. The three-Test series is therefore expected to have a significant bearing on the race for the 2027 decider.
The first Test will be played at Kingsmead in Durban from October 9 to 13, followed by the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha from October 18 to 22. The third and final Test will be played at Newlands in Cape Town from October 27 to 31.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), 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 and Beau Webster.