Labuschagne to lead Queensland in One-Day Cup ahead of South Africa Tests

Before traveling to South Africa for the Test series, where his position is in doubt, Marnus Labuschagne will serve as captain of Queensland in the One-Day Cup.

Labuschagne, who made scores of 1, 31 and 4 against Bangladesh last month, which extended his run to 43 innings without a century - and an average of 25.43 since the end of the 2023 Ashes - will face Victoria at Allan Border Field on Saturday. Queensland have another match against New South Wales next Monday before the Test-only players are due to fly out to South Africa.

Ricky Ponting has been among the former players to say that Labuschagne should have been dropped, while David Warner recently referenced the century-less run in a social media exchange with the Barmy Army.

While Labuschagne has been included in the Test squad, chair of selectors George Bailey stopped short of confirming he would retain his spot for the first Test in Durban although it would appear the likeliest option. Cooper Connolly could be a left-field option, and it has been suggested that Steven Smith could return to the third spot. Australia have a two-day warm-up match in Potchefstroom early next month before the series.

According to Labuschagne, who spoke with 7News, "Criticity, you bring [that] on yourself as a player because that's performance-based." "I'm not getting criticised because of me as a person, they are criticising my performance which in the last two years I have let that happen. People who know me well are aware that every part of me is working hard to return to my best self.

Labuschagne told Code Sports separately. "I still think I am the best person to bat at No. 3 for Australia. But if someone else offers a different opinion that's up to them. That's how they see it."

Labuschagne was left out of the ODI team that is in Zimbabwe right now and going to South Africa for three games. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will join for those one-dayers ahead of the Test series.

Last year, Labuschagne won the One-Day Cup with 468 runs in six innings, including four centuries. During his most recent ODI series, against Bangladesh in June, he was pushed down to No. 7 for one of the matches, and Bailey suggested missing that format may aid his Test preparation.

Bailey stated when the squad was selected, "I think Marn will continue to prepare and refine how he will prepare for this series." "The fact that he won't be in the one-day series leading up to it may allow him to simplify his life or concentrate solely on red-ball cricket. Thus, that may be advantageous. I'm not sure around that."

The One-Day Cup, which marks the start of the men's domestic season, begins on Friday when Western Australia take on South Australia in Perth. Jake Weatherald, who recently lost his Test place after the opening match against Bangladesh, is part of the visitors' squad having returned to the state during the off-season from Tasmania.

"He's come back really determined to try and force his way back [into the Test side]," South Australia coach Ryan Harris told Cricinfo. There has been speculation that he might not return, but the sheer weight of the runs will dictate that. He knows that. His attitude's been excellent."