Out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne can ‘still make a positive contribution’, chief Australia selector George Bailey said on Monday, after the struggling batter was thrown a lifeline for the Test tour of South Africa. Test number three, Labuschagne has failed to score a century since 2023 and flopped again in two home Tests against Bangladesh last month with scores of one, 31 and four. He was subsequently axed from Australia's squad for three One-Dayers in Zimbabwe and another three in South Africa preceding the Tests. But selectors opted against a red-ball change for what will be the team's first Test series in South Africa since the infamous "Sandpaper gate" ball-tampering scandal in 2018. &nbsp;"(We're) not shying away from the fact that we'd like some more runs from Marn (Marnus)... but we're also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad," Bailey said. "Our batting group in its entirety, not just Marn, probably hasn't been functioning as successfully as we would like." &nbsp;Asked if the South Africa series would be Labuschagne's last chance, Bailey dodged the question. &nbsp;"No, I wouldn't say that. But again, it's a hypothetical, isn't it?" he said.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-pakistan-selector-misbah-ul-haq-calls-out-soft-corner-for-foreign-coaches-amid-ongoing-crisis-1788754524089">Former Pakistan selector Misbah-ul-haq calls out 'soft corner for foreign coaches' amid ongoing crisis</a> &nbsp;Cooper Connolly, Matthew Kuhnemann and Michael Neser were also included in a 16-man squad which was otherwise unchanged from the last Bangladesh Test. All-rounder Connolly's selection is another indication that the 23-year-old is seen as a long-term prospect, while Kuhnemann was preferred to Todd Murphy as the second spinner behind Nathan Lyon. &nbsp;Neser, who, like Labuschagne, was born in South Africa, provides back-up for the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Bailey said Connolly was primarily chosen for his batting, most likely as a middle-order option but potentially as high as three. &nbsp;"His overall development will continue to expand his ability to bat in a range of positions," he said. &nbsp;Australia will travel to Durban for the first Test on October 9 before the series moves to Gqeberha and Cape Town for the remaining Tests. &nbsp;Only Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, Steve Smith and Matt Renshaw survive from their last Test series in South Africa, when Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all sent home in shame. Smith was banned for a year and sacked as captain after conspiring to alter the ball using sandpaper during the third Test in Cape Town, while the now-retired Warner, considered the ringleader, was suspended for 12 months and stripped of all leadership roles.<h3>Australia Test squad for South Africa series -</h3>Pat Cummins (captain), 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

Marnus Labuschagne retains his place in Australia's 16-man Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa. Chief selector George Bailey backs the struggling batter alongside new inclusions Cooper Connolly and Michael Neser.

Out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne can ‘still make a positive contribution’, chief Australia selector George Bailey said on Monday, after the struggling batter was thrown a lifeline for the Test tour of South Africa. Test number three, Labuschagne has failed to score a century since 2023 and flopped again in two home Tests against Bangladesh last month with scores of one, 31 and four. He was subsequently axed from Australia's squad for three One-Dayers in Zimbabwe and another three in South Africa preceding the Tests. But selectors opted against a red-ball change for what will be the team's first Test series in South Africa since the infamous "Sandpaper gate" ball-tampering scandal in 2018. "(We're) not shying away from the fact that we'd like some more runs from Marn (Marnus)... but we're also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad," Bailey said. "Our batting group in its entirety, not just Marn, probably hasn't been functioning as successfully as we would like." Asked if the South Africa series would be Labuschagne's last chance, Bailey dodged the question. "No, I wouldn't say that. But again, it's a hypothetical, isn't it?" he said. Also read| Former Pakistan selector Misbah-ul-haq calls out 'soft corner for foreign coaches' amid ongoing crisis Cooper Connolly, Matthew Kuhnemann and Michael Neser were also included in a 16-man squad which was otherwise unchanged from the last Bangladesh Test. All-rounder Connolly's selection is another indication that the 23-year-old is seen as a long-term prospect, while Kuhnemann was preferred to Todd Murphy as the second spinner behind Nathan Lyon. Neser, who, like Labuschagne, was born in South Africa, provides back-up for the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Bailey said Connolly was primarily chosen for his batting, most likely as a middle-order option but potentially as high as three. "His overall development will continue to expand his ability to bat in a range of positions," he said. Australia will travel to Durban for the first Test on October 9 before the series moves to Gqeberha and Cape Town for the remaining Tests. Only Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, Steve Smith and Matt Renshaw survive from their last Test series in South Africa, when Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were all sent home in shame. Smith was banned for a year and sacked as captain after conspiring to alter the ball using sandpaper during the third Test in Cape Town, while the now-retired Warner, considered the ringleader, was suspended for 12 months and stripped of all leadership roles. Australia Test squad for South Africa series - Pat Cummins (captain), 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

Marnus Labuschagne retains his place in Australia's 16-man Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa. Chief selector George Bailey backs the struggling batter alongside new inclusions Cooper Connolly and Michael Neser.

Marnus Labuschagne retains place in Australia squad for South Africa Tests; check full team

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood says the hostile South African crowd won't affect him much on the upcoming tour, including three ODIs and as many Tests. With the Aussies returning to South Africa for the first time since the sandpaper gate in 2018, Hazlewood expects the Proteas crowd to come down hard on him and the players fielding near the boundary lines. Having toured England and New Zealand, where the home fans usually love sledging the mighty Aussies, Hazlewood warned that Australian players won’t be fazed this time. &nbsp;Although Australia toured South Africa for the ODI series in 2020 and 2023, the stakes are expected to be higher this time.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/babar-azam-pcb-lords-test-boycott-imran-khan-interview-1788174409605">'No, no, no': Babar Azam dismisses alleged PCB walkout over Imran Khan interview | WATCH</a> &nbsp;Hazlewood was one of the five players who featured in the infamous Cape Town Test, where stalwarts including David Warner and Steve Smith were among those handed one-year bans. With Hazlewood and Smith likely to be picked for the Test series, starting in Durban, and Newlands hosting the third Test, the Aussie quick said tackling crowd abuse is unlikely to be part of discussions in the lead-up. &nbsp;"I don't think we'll talk about it, no," Hazlewood said at a launch of Play Cricket week on Monday. "I tend to put New Zealand and South Africa a bit in the same boat. We cop a lot in England as well, so pretty much every away game we cop it a fair bit. &nbsp;"I'm used to everything at fine leg. The guys out in the slips don't hear too much, so it's probably more the guys fielding on the boundary and different things.&nbsp; &nbsp;"It'll be fine,” he continued.<h2>Hazlewood wants to play more cricket</h2>Recently returning to Test cricket during the Bangladesh series after being out for a considerable period since suffering a right hamstring strain that ruled him out of the home Ashes, Hazlewood aims to maintain his fitness and make himself available for as many matches as possible.&nbsp; &nbsp;The 35-year-old is expected to be picked in the ODI squad for the South Africa and Zimbabwe series to be announced on Tuesday.&nbsp; &nbsp;"I think still the best way forward for me is to play as much as I can, in reason. Once you're at that intensity, which we're all at now, it's trying to maintain that," Hazlewood said. &nbsp;Meanwhile, after the three-match ODI series, Australia will also play a two-day warm-up fixture against South Africa A ahead of the first Test, which begins on October 9.&nbsp;

Josh Hazlewood insists Australia won't be fazed by hostile South African crowds as they return for their first Test series since the 2018 Cape Town controversy.

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood says the hostile South African crowd won't affect him much on the upcoming tour, including three ODIs and as many Tests. With the Aussies returning to South Africa for the first time since the sandpaper gate in 2018, Hazlewood expects the Proteas crowd to come down hard on him and the players fielding near the boundary lines. Having toured England and New Zealand, where the home fans usually love sledging the mighty Aussies, Hazlewood warned that Australian players won’t be fazed this time. Although Australia toured South Africa for the ODI series in 2020 and 2023, the stakes are expected to be higher this time. Also read| 'No, no, no': Babar Azam dismisses alleged PCB walkout over Imran Khan interview | WATCH Hazlewood was one of the five players who featured in the infamous Cape Town Test, where stalwarts including David Warner and Steve Smith were among those handed one-year bans. With Hazlewood and Smith likely to be picked for the Test series, starting in Durban, and Newlands hosting the third Test, the Aussie quick said tackling crowd abuse is unlikely to be part of discussions in the lead-up. "I don't think we'll talk about it, no," Hazlewood said at a launch of Play Cricket week on Monday. "I tend to put New Zealand and South Africa a bit in the same boat. We cop a lot in England as well, so pretty much every away game we cop it a fair bit. "I'm used to everything at fine leg. The guys out in the slips don't hear too much, so it's probably more the guys fielding on the boundary and different things. "It'll be fine,” he continued. Hazlewood wants to play more cricket Recently returning to Test cricket during the Bangladesh series after being out for a considerable period since suffering a right hamstring strain that ruled him out of the home Ashes, Hazlewood aims to maintain his fitness and make himself available for as many matches as possible. The 35-year-old is expected to be picked in the ODI squad for the South Africa and Zimbabwe series to be announced on Tuesday. "I think still the best way forward for me is to play as much as I can, in reason. Once you're at that intensity, which we're all at now, it's trying to maintain that," Hazlewood said. Meanwhile, after the three-match ODI series, Australia will also play a two-day warm-up fixture against South Africa A ahead of the first Test, which begins on October 9.

Josh Hazlewood insists Australia won't be fazed by hostile South African crowds as they return for their first Test series since the 2018 Cape Town controversy.

Josh Hazlewood expects South Africa sledging, insists Aussies won't be fazed

Australia will tour South Africa for a Test series for the first time in eight years later this year, with Newlands in Cape Town, famous for the sandpaper gate during the 2018 tour, hosting one of the three scheduled matches. Australia will play three ODIs in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom, respectively, in late September before the Test cricket action gets underway at Kingsmead. St George’s Park in Gqeberha will stage the second Test, and the picturesque Newlands will host the final Test, all in October.&nbsp;Australia will also feature in a two-day warm-up fixture at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, before the Tests begin.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/we-must-be-humble-sanjay-manjrekar-thanks-south-africa-for-exposing-india-pinpoints-3-fixes-to-stay-alive-t20-world-cup-super-8-ahmedabad-1771837563396">‘We must be humble’: Manjrekar thanks South Africa for exposing India; pinpoints 3 fixes to stay alive</a> &nbsp;Cricket South Africa (CSA) revealed its men’s and women’s home fixtures for the first time in close to two years, with the defending World Test Championship (WTC) winners hosting Australia in a marquee series.&nbsp; &nbsp;A few names involved in the watershed Cape Town Test in 2018, which rocked Australian cricket to its core with match-fixing allegations, including Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, are active on the Test roster, while among those from South Africa include Kagiso Rabada, captain Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj. &nbsp;While Smith is the only one of three, including David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, involved in the sandpaper gate, who actively plays for Australia, Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine, who led Australia after Smith served a year’s ban, are both retired. &nbsp;However, the reports also state that Australia will play an ODI series in Zimbabwe before flying to South Africa for a full tour.<h3>Check out Australia’s tour of South Africa 2026 – &nbsp;</h3>ODI Series -<ul><li>1st ODI - September 24, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban</li><li>2nd ODI - September 27, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg</li><li>3rd ODI - September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom (D/N)</li></ul>Warm-up Match&nbsp;October 3-4 - JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom &nbsp;Test Series<ul><li>1st Test - October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban</li><li>2nd Test - October 18-22, St George’s Park, Gqeberha</li><li>3rd Test - October 27-31, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town</li></ul><h3>Bangladesh and England to follow</h3>Meanwhile, Bangladesh will be next, touring South Africa in November and December, for two Tests, three One-Dayers and as many T20Is.&nbsp;Afterwards, England will be the next team to tour South Africa for three Tests and three ODIs, with the season concluding on January 15. However, the England ODIs will overlap with SA20, which runs from January 9 to February 14, 2027.

Australia, England and Bangladesh are the three teams touring South Africa for eight Tests combined in the latest home schedule announced.

Australia will tour South Africa for a Test series for the first time in eight years later this year, with Newlands in Cape Town, famous for the sandpaper gate during the 2018 tour, hosting one of the three scheduled matches. Australia will play three ODIs in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom, respectively, in late September before the Test cricket action gets underway at Kingsmead. St George’s Park in Gqeberha will stage the second Test, and the picturesque Newlands will host the final Test, all in October. Australia will also feature in a two-day warm-up fixture at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, before the Tests begin. Also read | ‘We must be humble’: Manjrekar thanks South Africa for exposing India; pinpoints 3 fixes to stay alive Cricket South Africa (CSA) revealed its men’s and women’s home fixtures for the first time in close to two years, with the defending World Test Championship (WTC) winners hosting Australia in a marquee series. A few names involved in the watershed Cape Town Test in 2018, which rocked Australian cricket to its core with match-fixing allegations, including Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, are active on the Test roster, while among those from South Africa include Kagiso Rabada, captain Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj. While Smith is the only one of three, including David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, involved in the sandpaper gate, who actively plays for Australia, Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine, who led Australia after Smith served a year’s ban, are both retired. However, the reports also state that Australia will play an ODI series in Zimbabwe before flying to South Africa for a full tour. Check out Australia’s tour of South Africa 2026 – ODI Series - 1st ODI - September 24, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban 2nd ODI - September 27, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 3rd ODI - September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom (D/N) Warm-up Match October 3-4 - JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom Test Series 1st Test - October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban 2nd Test - October 18-22, St George’s Park, Gqeberha 3rd Test - October 27-31, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town Bangladesh and England to follow Meanwhile, Bangladesh will be next, touring South Africa in November and December, for two Tests, three One-Dayers and as many T20Is. Afterwards, England will be the next team to tour South Africa for three Tests and three ODIs, with the season concluding on January 15. However, the England ODIs will overlap with SA20, which runs from January 9 to February 14, 2027.

Australia, England and Bangladesh are the three teams touring South Africa for eight Tests combined in the latest home schedule announced.

Cape Town Return! Australia to play first Test series in South Africa since 2018; full schedule inside

australia-tour-of-south-africa-2026

Australia Tour Of South Africa 2026, News on Australia Tour Of South Africa 2026, stories on Australia Tour Of South Africa 2026, articles on Australia Tour Of South Africa 2026, Australia Tour Of South Africa 2026 stories at Wion, Australia Tour Of South Africa 2026 news, Australia Tour Of South Africa 2026 latest news

australia tour-of-south-africa-2026

Marnus Labuschagne retains place in Australia squad for South Africa Tests; check full team

Josh Hazlewood expects South Africa sledging, insists Aussies won't be fazed

CSA announce marquee schedule for home season; AUS set to tour after 8 years