Cricket / Australian Sports

Labuschagne's century in Potchefstroom eases pressure before South Africa Tests

Labuschagne retired out for 111 near his Klerksdorp birthplace, with Steve Smith and Alex Carey also contributing as Australia's tour match ended in a draw ahead of the Durban Test opener.

Marnus Labuschagne at an Australia training session at the MCG (file photo).
Marnus Labuschagne at an Australia training session at the MCG (file photo). Photo: DustyNail / Wikimedia Commons (CC0) Licence

Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne scored 111 from 89 balls in a two-day tour match against a Cricket South Africa Invitation XI, played October 3-4 in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Labuschagne reached his century off just 76 balls, striking 19 fours, before retiring out after passing three figures. Steve Smith made 61 and Alex Carey scored 57 as Australia's innings reached 368 for 6.

The Cricket South Africa Invitation XI responded with 318 for 7, and the match was drawn.

The fixture was played roughly 50km from Klerksdorp, where Labuschagne was born.

Labuschagne's position in Australia's Test top order had come under scrutiny in recent months, after a lean run of scores that included the team's series against Bangladesh.

Matthew Renshaw, who played alongside Labuschagne in the tour match, praised his form and footwork afterwards.

The innings arrived ahead of the first Test between Australia and South Africa, the opening match of a three-Test series, which starts October 9 in Durban.

Australia's Test squad for the series has also been strengthened by the addition of Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper, called up after injuries to two squad members. Cameron Green is sidelined with an abdominal strain, while Josh Inglis has a fractured finger.

The Test series forms part of a broader tour of South Africa that included three One Day Internationals, with the tour serving as preparation for the upcoming ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship. Australia's campaign in Durban begins October 9.