Marnus Labuschagne’s Test Future in Doubt After Another Failure Against Bangladesh

Marnus Labuschagne’s place in Australia’s Test team is under serious scrutiny after another disappointing batting performance against Bangladesh in the second Test at Mackay.

The Australia No. 3 was dismissed for just four runs in the first innings, bowled by Shoriful Islam after the ball cannoned off his thigh pad and into leg stump. The dismissal followed scores of 1 and 31 in the opening Test, further extending a prolonged run of poor form.

Labuschagne has now gone more than two years without a Test century. His last hundred came against England at Old Trafford in July 2023, and since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, he has averaged only 25.43 in Test cricket.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes the selectors may now need to make a change.

“I admire what they [the selectors] are trying to do with Marnus,” Ponting said on Channel 7. “I admire that they tried to get him and get him back to his best, but it’s been way too long now.”

Ponting acknowledged that Labuschagne was unlucky with his latest dismissal but argued that technical issues were contributing to his struggles.

“The worry that I had with him, I think there’s some technical deficiency there but he’s making the margin for error for the bowlers too great,” Ponting said. “With the length, he can’t score off the back foot. If you can’t score off the back foot in Test cricket then batting becomes a hard game.”

Ponting added that he believed it was time for Australia to consider another option in the batting order.

Labuschagne had admitted before the second Test that his dismissal in the opening match was partly the result of trying to force the pace. He said he had wanted to put pressure on the bowler but acknowledged that he had played a shot he did not need to play at that stage.

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald had also said before the match that Labuschagne “needs some big runs”, while captain Pat Cummins expressed confidence that the batter was close to rediscovering his best form after facing him in training.

However, Labuschagne managed only one scoring shot in his latest innings before his dismissal.

Former Australia batter Mark Waugh went even further, suggesting the Mackay Test could potentially be Labuschagne’s final appearance for Australia.

“Marnus. How many more chances does he get?” Waugh said on Fox Cricket. “He might not get another bat in this game, so he will be hoping he does. He might have played his last game for Australia.”

Waugh also called for Travis Head to return to the middle order, which would require Australia to find another opening partner.

Former Australia captain Alyssa Healy similarly argued that the selectors should introduce fresh faces during the upcoming series against South Africa.

“I think they are going to have to force some change into the South African series and bring some fresh blood in,” Healy said. “There is no reason why not anymore because we are failing as is.”

Simon Katich also questioned Labuschagne’s approach at the crease, saying the batter appeared uncertain about whether to commit to the front or back foot.

Labuschagne’s situation is particularly complicated by Australia’s recent selection decisions. The selectors dropped Jake Weatherald after only six Tests despite having initially been expected to give him both matches against Bangladesh. Matt Renshaw was recalled in his place and scored an uncertain eight in his first Test innings since 2023.

Australia had previously dropped Labuschagne during last year’s West Indies series before recalling him for the Ashes after a strong run of domestic form. His continued struggles since then could make another immediate recall difficult if he is dropped again.

Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming three-match series in South Africa is expected to be announced in early September. With Labuschagne’s form continuing to deteriorate, the selectors now face a major decision over whether to persist with one of the key batters of Australia’s recent Test era or finally make way for a new option at No. 3.