Cricket Australia, on Monday, September 7, unveiled its Test squad for the three-match tour to South Africa, which is scheduled to commence on Friday, October 9, in Durban, which will be a part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
The series will mark the first time Australia’s Test side returns to South Africa since the infamous 2018 Sandpaper Gate. This will also be the first time the teams will meet since last year’s WTC final at Lord’s.
Interestingly, the national chief selector George Bailey has retained the under-fire batter Marnus Labuschagne. Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, and Cooper Connolly are the important members of the batting unit. Meanwhile, Connolly, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Michael Neser are the new additions.
Australia is holding the pole position in the World Test Championship (WTC 2025-27) standings, with reigning champions South Africa in second.
“This is a reasonably condensed three-game series, on the back of six one-day internationals, with only short breaks between each game,” Chair of Selectors George Bailey said.
“The squad provides balance and options for each Test and the variety of conditions we may face,” he added.
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
SA vs AUS Test series schedule:
First Test: October 9-13, Durban
Second Test: October 18-22, Gqeberha
Third Test: October 27-31, Johannesburg
