Match Overview
- South Africa329 (Ackerman 95; Starc 6-72)
- Australia330-4 (Inglis 85*, Renshaw 74, Green 65; Jansen 2-37)
- Match StateAustralia lead by one run on day two in Cape Town
Marnus Labuschagne’s protracted slump reached a fresh low as Australia’s emerging batters took control of the decisive third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Playing in place of the injured Steve Smith—who was sidelined with a neck injury—Labuschagne lasted just five balls without scoring, extending his run without a Test century to 48 consecutive innings. Chirping, chewing and, with bat in hand, often appearing to idolise and mimic his team-mate Steve Smith. The 27-year-old has flicked across 39 previous Test without ever truly appearing comfortable, long viewed as Australia’s golden boy.
The 32-year-old top-order batter has not reached three figures since the 2023 Ashes match at Old Trafford. His recent drought set an Australian record for the most innings a top-order player has gone without a hundred. Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie remarked on ABC that the record “will never be broken,” adding, “I say that because, respectfully, I don’t think anyone will be given that length of time again. It is a very big sample size. Australia are at a point where they need to look elsewhere.”
From his entry as a concussion replacement during the 2019 Ashes until the end of England’s subsequent tour, Labuschagne maintained a Test average of 65. 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, there was a time when.
However, since his 2023 century, his average has slipped to 24.77.
In Cape Town, after starting the series with several starts in the 30s, he planted his foot on the crease against a full delivery from off-spinner Simon Harmer and edged to slip. Here he was stuck on the crease, playing back to a full ball and nicking spinner Simon Harmer to slip, having batted nicely in three or four innings in this series only to give it away after reaching 30.
Commentator Simon Katich noted on SEN Radio that the dismissals reflected “nerves and the pressure the selectors have put him under for an extended period of time” by not granting him a break.
Labuschagne’s early exit left Australia at 58-2 following the early loss of Travis Head, but the visiting middle order mounted a strong recovery without Smith to steer them. Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, and Josh Inglis all struck half-centuries to push Australia to 330-4, holding a one-run lead by stumps. Should Australia not progress from their position of 330-4, leading by one run, and dismiss South Africa before needing to pad up again, labuschagne may get one more chance in this Test. Rather than Australia’s decision to try Labuschagne as opener, he may have spent the following 17 months ending the debate ove, had he been picked to open in the World Test Championship final against South Africa in 2025.
Renshaw, who was previously omitted while selectors stuck with Labuschagne, made 74 to follow up his career-best 190 in Durban. Middlesbrough-born Renshaw has solidified his position after initial experimentation with Nic Maddinson was cut short after two Tests. His 74 here, which followed a career-best 190 in Durban, suggests a return to England next summer awaits. What followed hinted at their future, but if his pained stare down the pitch signalled the end of something.
Green, playing his 40th Test at age 27, displayed composure in making 65 under Table Mountain. The towering all-rounder played with the composure and authority he has often lacked, in making 65 below Table Mountain.
Later, Leeds-born Inglis spearheaded the evening session alongside Alex Carey (42 not out).
Inglis, who had not played red-ball cricket since March and suffered a broken finger in his preparations, hit an unbeaten 85. He made extensive use of cuts and sweeps against the home spinners after Marco Jansen removed both Renshaw and Green in quick succession before tea. Inglis and Carey anchored an unbroken 145-run partnership for the fifth wicket. The 31-year-old finished 85 not out in an unbroken partnership of 145 with Alex Carey.
Australia face tactical decisions ahead of their upcoming series against New Zealand in December when Smith returns. Previous trials with Green at number three yielded 188 runs across eight innings, while Inglis holds limited top-order experience, averaging 12.66 with a high score of 29 across three first-class matches at number three. Nevertheless, the contributions from the younger middle order in Cape Town provided Australia with a commanding position in the final Test. Repeat that over a Test career and only Sir Donald Bradman’s mark of 99.94 would be ahead. In August, the great Ricky Ponting, one of his predecessors as Australia’s number three, called for the axe to fall. And a four-Test trial of Green in that spot in 2024 and 2025 was aborted after he returned 188 across eight innings, smith has avoided batting in Labuschagne’s position before.
