Australia trail South Africa by 170 as Labuschagne falls for 39
Coach Andrew McDonald backed Marnus Labuschagne’s effort but said the batter needed to turn his starts into bigger scores.
Australia ended the fourth day against South Africa at 4-156, still 170 runs behind after following on, with Marnus Labuschagne dismissed for 39 in the second innings.
The tourists had been bowled out for 99 in their first innings, when Labuschagne contributed 14. In his second attempt, he survived an lbw decision on review before a lofted shot against Simon Harmer was caught at deep mid-on.
Labuschagne has passed 30 without reaching 50 in six of his past nine innings. Since December 2022, his Test average has been 29.29, compared with 60.82 over his opening 30 matches for Australia.
His 10th Test hundred arrived in his 51st innings, against West Indies at Adelaide Oval in December 2022. He has added one century across the subsequent 69 innings, against England during the 2023 Ashes.
Former Australian opener Simon Katich criticised the shot selection while Australia were trying to save the match. Coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged Labuschagne’s work before his dismissal but said he needed to capitalise on those starts, adding that both the batter and the team were disappointed.
McDonald declined to discuss selection during the Test. Cameron Green and Josh Inglis are fit again, and Cooper Connolly and Sam Harper are among the touring players. Labuschagne was omitted for last year’s three-match West Indies series before returning three Tests later.
