‘Awkward’ injury ‘doubtless’ to drive shock Aussie change for opening Test in South Africa

Marnus scores a lot needed Ton in heat up | 00:46
Fox Cricket with Tim Miller from Fox SportsOctober 5th, 2026 8:34 pm

Australia is “doubtless” to be without Cameron Inexperienced for the primary Test in South Africa because the all-rounder struggles to overcome an injury.

The Age’s Dan Brettig reviews Inexperienced did not bat, bowl or field because the Aussies faced a Cricket South Africa Invitational XI in Potchefstroom, simply 50 kilometres from <a href="https://cricket.international/still-in-a-vulnerable-spot-marnus-labuschagne-opens-up-on-criticism-ahead-of-south-africa-tests/" title="“Still in a weak spot”: Marnus Labuschagne opens up on criticism ahead of South Africa Checks”>Marnus Labuschagne’s Klerksdorp birthplace.

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The 27-year-old was restricted to simply conditioning work after struggling what’s said to be an “awkward” abdominal pressure within the final ODI towards South Africa last week.

It reportedly leaves Cooper Connolly in line for simply his second Test appearance, after a debut in Sri Lanka almost two years ago, together with Beau Webster while the not too long ago called-up Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper may be within the frame.

Liam Scott, who has featured as an all-rounder throughout Australia A’s tour of India, may very well be called in as one other reinforcement. The primary Test begins Friday night (AEDT) in Durban.

The information comes after as Marnus Labuschagne all-but-confirmed his place at No.3 with a century in Australia’s warm-up conflict.

The under-fire 32-year outdated ended an 11-month century drought in all codecs to indicate indicators of his damaging finest on the excellent time.

Whereas not without the occasional edge by way of the slips cordon, Labuschagne hit 19 fours to deliver up three figures in simply 76 balls, earlier than retiring on 111 to offer others some badly needed time on the crease.

The innings comes at an important time for the fallen star, who has averaged simply 24.69 since his last Test century in July 2023, together with a trio of failures in Australia’s current series towards Bangladesh.

Nevertheless, the knock comes with a number of caveats.

In excellent batting circumstances, Australia had been untroubled in racking up 6/368 from 74 overs on the second day of the two-day match, with three of these wickets, Labuschagne’s included, retirements.

The CSA XI bowling assault was additionally far faraway from what the tourists will face towards the Proteas in Durban within the first Test together with a bowler who last performed first class cricket two years ago, and a spinner who had spent most of his career in division two cricket.

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