'We are so screwed': Fans react as Australia announces squad for South Africa Test series, Marnus Labuschagne survives selection

Marnus Labuschagne retains his place in Australia 's 16-man Test squad for South Africa .

Labuschagne scored 1,659 runs at 29.69, with no century since 2023.

Ricky Ponting recently urged Australian selectors to drop Labuschagne, calling his place "almost untenable."

Fans have questioned Australia's reluctance to change its top order.

Australia Test squad for South Africa: Key changes and Marnus Labuschagne selection

Australia has kept most of the team members who played in the recently drawn 1- 1 Test series against Bangladesh . The team consists of three new members with all-rounder Cooper Connolly, spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and experienced bowler Michael Neser.

The first Test takes place in Durban from October 9, with the rest of the series being held in Gqeberha and Cape Town.

With Australia drawing a 1-1 series against Bangladesh and their batting unit getting criticised again, Marnus Labuschagne's selection has become the biggest issue for Australia before their South Africa tour with him even dropping out of the ODI side during the Proteas tour.

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.

Marnus Labuschagne's recent struggles continue

The case for retaining Labuschagne is inseparable from his shocking failure in Tests post-2022, culminating in his barely making 36 runs during the Bangladesh Test series.

At the 2025-26 Ashes, he aggregated 259 runs across 10 innings at 28.77.

After being one of the best Test batters in the world, he has managed only 1,659 runs at an average of 29.69 since the beginning of 2023.

In fact, his average has deteriorated from 34.91 in 2023 to 30.93 in 2024 and a measly 20.84 in 2025, and he has not touched double digits in the Tests since the fourth Ashes Test in July 2023.

His latest performance against Bangladesh saw Labuschagne score 1 and 31 in the first Test, while he was dismissed for 4 in the next match, accumulating just 36 runs in three innings.

Ricky Ponting wanted Australia to drop Labuschagne

Ricky Ponting called for Australia to forget Marnus Labuschagne due to his recent lackluster form. Labuschagne scored a mere 36 runs in the three innings he played against Bangladesh, prompting Ponting to say that his inclusion in the Test side is "almost untenable." He further recommended that Australia should find itself a new No. 3 batter.

Further, Ponting advocated that Australia play Travis Head in the middle order and include another younger batter in the top order. He also pointed out that Australia should consider changing their batting lineup before their upcoming tough Test series in South Africa.

Fans furious after Marnus Labuschagne survives

One of the most direct barrages read, "Absolute idiots - we are so screwed in the near future. George Bailey is such a dud."

Another follower criticised the continued trust placed in the same batting lineup in Australia, asking, "When are we gonna change ? No point keep picking the same top 6 that fails time and time again. Especially our number 3."

Labuschagne's selection was also commented upon negatively, with one fan describing the decision as a "reward" and questioning if the selectors themselves were pushing the fans away from the sport.

Yet another remark concerned the selectors' unwillingness to select young players: "My God, they hate to give the kids a go don't they?"

While questions over Labuschagne's selection continued, a summary of the apparent superficiality of the incumbent No. 3 batsman was given by one fan, stating that there was "No real option at 3 if (when) Labuschagne fails again".

Retaining Labuschagne could prove a costly gamble for Australia

There is definitely an argument that Labuschagne should not be dropped. He is still an experienced Test player with 65 Tests and 11 hundreds and conditions in South Africa can suit an experienced player.

However, it is not a temporary fall of form that Labuschagne has. His average has fallen each year from 2023 to 2025; he hasn't scored a hundred in more than three years, and in his last Test series, he scored only 36 runs.

While Ponting's views make us see what Australia could have done if it had thought that a change was coming, for the time being, Labuschagne gets another chance. But after this vote of confidence, pressure on the Australian No. 3 batter will be enormous from the first ball in Durban.

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