Australian cricket’s chief of selectors’ George Bailey expressed optimism in struggling batter Marnus Labuschagne’s ability to contribute positively during the upcoming South African Tests, adding that not only Marnus, the entire batting unit is not functioning as per expectations. Despite having no Test century to his name since the Ashes trip to the UK back in 2023, Marnus continued to survive the axe as he was named for the all-important Test series between World Test Championship (WTC) table-toppers Australia and South Africa starting from October 9 onwards.
That’s clear, but we’re also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad,” Bailey said on Monday, as quoted by ICC. The form of the classy right-hander has since been an even bigger point of focus, with calls to move on from him louder than ever. “We are not shying away from the fact that we’d like some more runs from Marnus. “And that ultimately, I think that is the key, is not it? Scoring more runs than the opposition that you’re playing the game in,” he continued. “Clearly there is potentially a simplification or an ability to focus purely on red-ball cricket for him in the fact that he would not be in the one-day series leading up to it. “He will prepare incredibly well and specifically for this tour.
So that may be a benefit,” said the former Aussie captain. During the previous assignment against Bangladesh, Marnus had managed scores of 1, 31 and 4 as the Aussies yet against underwhelmed with their batting against a solid Bangladesh pace attack, even losing at home soil to the Asian side for the first time at Darwin. Since his final Test ton against England during the Ashes tour to the UK in 2023, Marnus has been averaging 25.23 in Tests, having made just 959 runs across 42 innings, with only nine fifties to his name, with a best score of 90. And as I said, in that squad of 16, I am confident that he can still make a positive contribution,” he signed off.
Speaking after the squad selection, Bailey said that there is no shying away from the fact that Marnus needs more runs to his name, but there is also confidence about his ability to contribute well.
