Labuschagne says he remains Australia's best No. 3 for South Africa Tests

Marnus Labuschagne has affirmed his belief that he remains the best candidate to bat at No. 3 for Australia, despite recent criticism of his form as the team prepares for their Test series against South Africa.

Labuschagne, 32, will captain Queensland in the upcoming One-Day Cup before joining the Australian Test squad for the tour. Addressing his position, he told Code Sports, “I still think I am the best person to bat at No. 3 for Australia. But if someone else offers a different opinion, that’s up to them. That’s their point of view.”

While selected in Australia’s Test squad for the South Africa tour, Labuschagne’s inclusion in the playing XI for the first Test in Durban remains unconfirmed. Australia will participate in a two-day warm-up match in Potchefstroom early next month ahead of the series.

Queensland will face Victoria at Allan Border Field on Saturday, followed by another One-Day Cup match against New South Wales on Monday, before the Test-only players depart for South Africa.

Labuschagne’s recent performances have placed his position under scrutiny. He scored 1, 31 and 4 in the recent series against Bangladesh, extending his current run to 43 innings without a century. Since the conclusion of the 2023 Ashes, his batting average has been 25.43.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has publicly suggested that Labuschagne should be dropped, while David Warner referenced the batsman’s century drought during a recent social media interaction with the Barmy Army.

Responding to criticism, Labuschagne stated, “Criticism, you bring [that] on yourself as a player because that’s performance-based. I’m not getting criticised because of me as a person; they are criticising my performance, which in the last two years I have let that happen. People that know me know that every single part of me is doing everything I can to get back to what my best looks like.”

Australia’s chair of selectors George Bailey has not confirmed Labuschagne’s place for the Durban Test, with discussions ongoing regarding a possible return for Steven Smith at No. 3 and the emergence of Cooper Connolly as an alternative.

Labuschagne was omitted from Australia’s ODI squad currently in Zimbabwe, which will then travel to South Africa for three matches. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are expected to join that side ahead of the Test series.

Bailey suggested that not participating in the ODI leg could allow Labuschagne to focus on red-ball cricket preparation. “I think Marn will continue to prepare and refine how he will prepare for this series,” Bailey said. “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.”

Labuschagne enjoyed a successful One-Day Cup campaign last season, scoring 468 runs in six innings, including four centuries.

The domestic competition commences on Friday, with Western Australia facing South Australia in Perth. Jake Weatherald, who lost his Test place after the opening match against Bangladesh, is part of South Australia’s squad following his offseason return from Tasmania.

South Australia coach Ryan Harris said, “He’s come back really determined to try and force his way back [into the Test side]. There’s been some talk that maybe he won’t get back, but sheer weight of runs will dictate that. He knows that. His attitude’s been excellent.”

Click here to read article