Marnus Labuschagne scored a speedy, and timely, century in Australia's sole warm-up match before the three-Test series in South Africa from Friday, live on <em>Sky Sports Cricket.</em> Labuschagne struck 111 from 89 balls, including 19 fours, before retiring out against a Cricket South Africa Invitation XI in Potchefstroom.
The 32-year-old will hope to carry that form into the Test arena, starting in Durban this week, having gone 43 innings and over three years without a hundred in the format. After Labuschagne made scores of one, 31 and four in the recent 1-1 series draw at home to Bangladesh, ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting told <em>Sky Sports</em> the batter's spot in the XI had become "untenable."
However, the Baggy Greens have kept faith with the South Africa-born player and he seems set to line up in his usual No 3 berth at Kingsmead as Australia begin their first Test series in the country since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Steve Smith scored 61 in the tune-up, while Alex Carey made 57 as Australia replied to the hosts' 318-7 with 368-6.
All-rounder Cameron Green did not feature after picking up an abdominal injury and appears a doubt for the first Test. After the series opener in Durban, the teams will meet in Gqeberha from October 18 and then Cape Town from October 27. Watch the first Test live on <em>Sky Sports Cricket</em> from Friday.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing