Australia have announced a 16-player squad for the three-match ICC World Test Championship series in South Africa next month, with Marnus Labuschagne retained despite a recent lack of form.
The series, commencing on October 9 in Durban, will be Australia’s first Test meeting with South Africa since the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s last year. The matches will be crucial in determining which teams qualify for the 2026 final at The Oval.
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The squad features experienced fast bowlers including Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and newcomers Matthew Kuhnemann and Michael Neser. Labuschagne remains in the batting line-up despite not having scored a century since July 2023 and maintaining an average below 30 in 22 matches since then.
Other batters selected include Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, and Cooper Connolly. All-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster are also included. Connolly, Kuhnemann, and Neser were not part of the recent home series against Bangladesh but have been added for the varying conditions expected in South Africa.
Chair of Selectors George Bailey said, “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.”
The tour marks Australia’s first Test series in South Africa since 2018, with only Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Smith, and Renshaw having previously toured.
Australia currently lead the World Test Championship standings, with South Africa second. They enter the series following a 1-1 draw against Bangladesh earlier in September.
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, Beau Webster.
Series schedule:
First Test: October 9-13, Durban
Second Test: October 18-22, Gqeberha
Third Test: October 27-31, Johannesburg.
