{
  "id": 6110764,
  "title": "Labuschagne included in Australia squad for Test series against Proteas",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/labuschagne-included-in-australia-squad-for-test-series-against",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-07T06:33:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/cricket/labuschagne-included-in-australia-squad-for-test-series-against-proteas/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Australia have included out-of-form batsman Marnus Labuschagne in their squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa, according to chief selector George Bailey. Labuschagne, who has struggled since 2023, managed only one, 31 and four in two recent Tests against Bangladesh. Despite this, Bailey maintains that Labuschagne \"can still make a positive contribution\". The decision to include Labuschagne comes as the team avoids fielding any changes for their first Test series in South Africa since the 2018 \"Sandpapergate\" ball-tampering scandal. The 16-man squad also includes Cooper Connolly, Matthew Kuhnemann and Michael Neser, with Connolly being singled out as a potential long-term prospect. Australia's Test squad comprises Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Kuhnemann, Labuschagne, Lyon, Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc.",
  "summary": "The visitors to South Africa will play three Tests against the current world champions in the format.",
  "key_points": [
    "Marnus Labuschagne selected despite poor recent form",
    "Australia squad announced for South Africa Test series",
    "Cooper Connolly highlighted as potential long-term prospect"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}