Marnus Labuschagne set to be retained in Australia XI for 3rd South Africa Test

Marnus Labuschagne set to be retained in Australia XI for 3rd South Africa Test

Pat Cummins Backs Marnus Labuschagne as Australia Prepare for Cape Town Test

Australia captain Pat Cummins faces important selection decisions ahead of the third and final Test against South Africa in Cape Town, with the series level at 1-1. The second Test exposed serious problems in Australia’s batting, but Marnus Labuschagne may still keep his place in the side despite a prolonged run without a substantial score.

The possible return of all-rounder Cameron Green and batter Josh Inglis gives selectors additional options for the series decider. Even so, Cummins’ comments after Australia’s innings-and-31-run defeat in Gqeberha suggest Labuschagne could receive one more opportunity to turn promising starts into a match-defining innings.

Labuschagne Expected to Retain His Place

Labuschagne has made scores of 37, 37, 14 and 39 across the first two Tests in South Africa. While those figures show that he has regularly reached the crease and spent time at the wicket, they have not provided the substantial contribution Australia needs from a senior batter.

His position has consequently come under scrutiny, particularly after Australia’s first-innings collapse in the second Test. The defeat not only allowed South Africa to level the series but also highlighted how quickly Australia’s batting can unravel under sustained pressure.

Despite the criticism, reports indicate Labuschagne is increasingly likely to remain in the XI for the Cape Town Test. Retaining him would give the 32-year-old an immediate chance to respond, while also allowing Australia to avoid making a change based solely on a difficult run of results.

The selection question is complicated by the expected availability of Green and Inglis. Their inclusion could strengthen the batting order, but it would also require the team management to decide who makes way. Cummins’ public backing suggests Labuschagne remains firmly in the conversation, even as selectors weigh form, balance and the demands of a series decider.

Cummins Says the Batter Is Getting Starts

Speaking after the second Test, Cummins acknowledged the frustration around Labuschagne’s scores but pointed to the difficulty of getting established at the top of the order. The captain said the batter was managing that initial challenge, while stressing that he now needed to convert his starts into bigger innings.

“The hardest thing about opening or batting No. 3 is actually getting yourself in,” Cummins said. “He’s getting to his thirties. He’s got to find a way to turn those into bigger scores. Thirties aren’t going to win you too many matches.”

Cummins also rejected the idea that a fundamental technical flaw was behind Labuschagne’s recent struggles. Instead, he suggested that some of the batter’s decisions may need to better reflect the situation in a match. That distinction matters: if the coaching staff believes Labuschagne is striking the ball well, the focus may be on shot selection, patience and adapting his approach rather than making major changes to his technique.

For Australia, the challenge is to find the right balance between supporting an experienced player and responding to a batting display that fell well short of expectations. A strong innings in Cape Town could vindicate the decision to back Labuschagne. Another start without a significant score, however, would intensify questions about his place in the side.

A Costly Dismissal in Gqeberha

Labuschagne’s second-innings dismissal in Gqeberha became a particularly painful moment for Australia. Facing off-spinner Simon Harmer, he advanced down the pitch and attempted to hit the ball into the wind. The shot went high rather than travelling safely into the field, and South African fast bowler Marco Jansen completed an excellent catch.

The dismissal was not the sole reason for Australia’s defeat, but it underlined the fine margins involved when a team is trying to resist a strong bowling attack. With the match slipping away, Australia needed its established batters to build partnerships and apply pressure. Labuschagne’s departure removed an opportunity to extend the innings and made the task of saving the Test more difficult.

His broader numbers add context to the concern. Labuschagne has now gone 14 Test innings without a half-century, while five of his last eight innings have ended with scores between 31 and 39. Those repeated near-misses suggest he is capable of getting in, but has not yet found a reliable way to move beyond the early stages of an innings.

Recent Form and Selection Pressure

Labuschagne’s last Test century came in July 2023, when he scored 111 against England at Old Trafford. Since then, his place in Australia’s Test side has not been guaranteed. He was dropped in mid-2025 after the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa and missed three Tests during Australia’s tour of the West Indies before returning for the Ashes against England.

That history means the Cape Town Test carries significance beyond the immediate series result. A productive performance could strengthen Labuschagne’s case to remain a central part of Australia’s batting plans. If he again fails to convert a start, the selectors may have to consider whether Green, Inglis or another option offers a better solution for upcoming Tests.

There is also a wider team issue at stake. Australia’s defeat in the second Test was a reminder that strong bowling alone may not be enough when the batting order cannot withstand pressure. The final match will test whether the team can make better decisions at the crease, build longer partnerships and avoid repeating the collapse that left the series level.

Cape Town Test Prediction: A Defining Chance for Australia

The final Test is set up as a high-pressure contest, with both teams having a chance to claim the series. For Australia, selection will be closely watched, especially if Green and Inglis are fit and ready to play. Cummins’ remarks make it reasonable to predict that Labuschagne will be given another chance, but his place should not be viewed as secure beyond the Cape Town match.

The key question is not simply whether Labuschagne can reach 30 or 40 again. Australia needs him to show control after getting settled: choosing the right moments to attack, managing South Africa’s spin and pace threats, and turning time at the crease into a score that changes the match.

For fans following the Australia-South Africa series, the Cape Town Test offers two connected storylines: the battle for the series and the future of one of Australia’s most experienced batters. A substantial Labuschagne innings could quiet the immediate criticism and give Australia a major boost. Without one, the selectors may face a difficult decision once the series is over.

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