{
  "id": 12000897,
  "title": "Labuschagne set for Test after first ton in 11 months",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/labuschagne-set-for-test-after-first-ton-in-11-months",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T20:28:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News",
    "slug": "abc-news",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-05/labuschagne-set-for-test-after-first-ton-in-11-months/107228250"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Marnus Labuschagne is set to resume his Test career following his first century in 11 months, just prior to Australia's first Test against South Africa in Durban. The Australian batsman scored 111 off 89 balls in a drawn match against an Invitation XI in Potchefstroom, showcasing his batting prowess. Former captain Ricky Ponting had previously questioned Labuschagne's place in the Australian Test team, but the 32-year-old's recent performance has seemed to quell those concerns. The South African-born player now looks set to fill the number three position in the upcoming Test. In the warm-up match, Labuschagne was supported by teammates Steve Smith and Alex Carey, who also retired with scores of 61 and 57 respectively. The Australian team, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Matt Renshaw, managed to score 6-368 in the drawn game.",
  "summary": "Marnus Labuschagne makes his case to keep the number three spot in Friday's first Test against South Africa, with a timely century in a warm-up match.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Labuschagne set for Test after first ton in 11 months",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/labuschagne-set-for-test-after-first-ton-in-11-months-12004443",
        "published": "2026-10-04T20:28:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}