Top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne was named in the Australia squad for next month’s three-Test tour of South Africa on Monday despite a run of poor recent form that has called into question his international future.
All-rounder Cooper Connolly, paceman Michael Neser and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann are the additions to the squad that lost a first Test on home soil to Bangladesh last month before rallying to level the series. “Not shying away from the fact that we’d like some more runs from Marn, that’s clear. Matthew Renshaw, who was brought in to replace Jake Weatherald as opening partner for Travis Head for the second Test in the Bangladesh series, also retained his place in the squad.
The right-hander, who was born in South Africa, was dropped from the one-day squad for a tour of southern Africa last week but retained in the 16-strong party which will play Tests in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town in October. Connolly has not bowled for the last few months and Bailey said the 23-year-old had primarily been selected for his middle-order batting.
But we’re also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad,” chief selector George Bailey told reporters. “(He’s) sort of just be getting back to the point of getting reintegration back to bowling and getting those loads up over the next few weeks,” he said. Australia can expect plenty of banter from the crowd but Bailey said he hoped the focus would remain on the cricket.