Australia chair selector George Bailey has backed a struggling Marnus Labuschagne to make a ‘positive contribution’ in the upcoming Test series against South Africa, despite having a lean time in the drawn 1-1 series against Bangladesh.
In that squad of 16, I’m confident that he can still make a positive contribution,” Bailey told reporters on Monday. The selectors have also included young batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly in the 16-member touring party. So that may be a benefit.
“There’s potentially a simplification or an ability to focus purely on red-ball cricket for him in the fact that he won’t be in the one-day series leading up to it. I’m not sure around that. He’ll prepare incredibly well, and specifically for this tour. Connolly, who scored a Test century against Bangladesh in June as an opener, has been rewarded for his multi-format growth despite playing a few first-class games. “(Connolly has been) primarily picked in this squad as a batsman, but that secondary skillset (bowling) may come into consideration depending on what sort of conditions we do face in South Africa. “I think he’s got a game that’s well suited to the middle order but no doubt, as he matures and continues to grow his game, I think there’s a capacity there where he could bat further up the order.
But the Bailey-led selection panel has opted to stick with the right-hander for the Tests against South Africa starting in Durban on October 9. Labuschagne hasn’t scored a century in Tests for nearly three years and was recently axed from the ODI team. “We not shying away from the fact that we’d like some more runs from ‘Marn’. That’s clear, but we’re also confident that that c to that squad. I think Marn will continue to prepare and refine how he will prepare for this series. “He’s a good player, and one I think that’s going to continue to develop across formats. Every time that we’ve had him on tour, he’s a good learner. He’s keen to expand his game.”
