Labuschagne's form hits record low but Australia hint at future
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Marnus Labuschagne has not scored a Test century since the 2023 Ashes South Africa 329: Ackerman 95; Starc 6-72 Australia 330-4: Inglis 85*; Jansen 2-37 Marnus Labuschagne has been front and centre for an era of Australian cricket.
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Chirping, chewing and, with bat in hand, often appearing to idolise and mimic his team-mate Steve Smith.
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Smith has been ruled out of the enthralling decisive Test against South Africa with a neck injury.
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Without him, Australia wanted their number three to feast at last chance saloon, where he has been perched for an eternity, on day two in Cape Town.
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The 32-year-old lasted five deliveries and did not score a run.
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Labuschagne failed to scored a Test century for the 48th time in a row - a new record for the number of consecutive innings a batter in Australia’s top four has waited to raise his bat at three figures.
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"That will never be broken," said former Australia quick Jason Gillespie on ABC.
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"I say that because, respectfully, I don't think anyone will be given that length of time again."
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There was a time when, from his insertion into the 2019 Ashes as a concussion substitute until the end of England's next quest to win back the urn, Labuschagne averaged 65 in Test cricket.
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Repeat that over a Test career and only Sir Donald Bradman's mark of 99.94 would be ahead.
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Instead, since his last Test century at Old Trafford in 2023, he averages 24.77.
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Labuschagne may get one more chance in this Test, should Australia not progress from their position of 330-4, leading by one run, and dismiss South Africa before needing to pad up again.
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"I just feel it is too far gone now," Gillespie added.
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"It is a very big sample size.
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Australia are at a point where they need to look elsewhere."
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Labuschagne's technique has been pored over again and again as his slump progressed. In August, the great Ricky Ponting, one of his predecessors as Australia's number three, called for the axe to fall. "He can't score off the back foot," was Ponting's cutting remark.
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Having batted nicely in three or four innings in this series only to give it away after reaching 30, here he was stuck on the crease, playing back to a full ball and nicking spinner Simon Harmer to slip.
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"That's nerves and the pressure the selectors have put him under for an extended period of time," said former Australia batter Simon Katich on SEN Radio.
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"They put him in this position by not making the decision to give him a breather."
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It felt like all of Labuschagne's issues collapsing into one.
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But if his pained stare down the pitch signalled the end of something, what followed hinted at their future.
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With Travis Head already out and Labuschagne following, the score 58-2 in reply to the Proteas' 329, there was no Smith to steer Australia out of this tricky spot.
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Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis, three of the junior members of this side, instead made fifties and put their side in the ascendancy.
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Renshaw is one of those who has been kept out by the selectors in the hope Labuschagne could rediscover his best form.
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Had he been picked to open in the World Test Championship final against South Africa in 2025, rather than Australia's decision to try Labuschagne as opener, he may have spent the following 17 months ending the debate over who should replace David Warner.
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Having got his chance in this series, initially as number five before the Nic Maddinson experiment was cut short after two Tests, the Middlesbrough-born Renshaw looks like being a fixture for this winter and beyond.
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His 74 here, which followed a career-best 190 in Durban, suggests a return to England next summer awaits.
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Green is one who has not lacked opportunity.
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Long viewed as Australia's golden boy, the 27-year-old has flicked across 39 previous Test without ever truly appearing comfortable.
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In making 65 below Table Mountain, the towering all-rounder played with the composure and authority he has often lacked.
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Most impressive, though, was Inglis - another Aussie who spent his early years in Yorkshire. He had not faced the red ball since March, has had his preparations limited by a broken finger, and came in with South Africa buoyed by Marco Jansen dismissing Renshaw and Green in successive overs before tea.
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The 31-year-old finished 85 not out in an unbroken partnership of 145 with Alex Carey.
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There would be no late-evening South Africa fightback, like the one Mitchell Starc inspired on day one to bowl South Africa out.
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This is not to say everything has fallen into place for Australia.
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Smith will return, meaning Green and Inglis would likely move from their current batting positions of four and five for their next Test against New Zealand in December. Smith has avoided batting in Labuschagne's position before, and a four-Test trial of Green in that spot in 2024 and 2025 was aborted after he returned 188 across eight innings.
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Leeds-born Inglis, meanwhile, has three first-class matches worth experience at number three, in which he averaged 12.66 and has a best score of 29. But if ever a day showed Australia there is merit in moving from one generation to another it was this.
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Three of their less experienced players, albeit two of them have celebrated their 30th birthdays, stood up to take Australia to a position from which they can control this Test.
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Labuschagne did not.
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His days look numbered.
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Inglis was particularly effective cutting and sweeping South Africa's spinners Australia fight back to keep Cummins out of unwanted club... for now
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