Labuschagne hits timely ton as Australia warm up for South Africa Tests

Marnus Labuschagne scored a speedy, and timely, century in Australia's sole warm-up match before the three-Test series in South Africa. The 32-year-old struck 111 from 89 balls, reaching three figures from 76 deliveries and hitting 19 fours, before retiring out against a Cricket South Africa Invitation XI in Potchefstroom.

The batter 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 averaged 25.43 since the 2023 Ashes and made low scores in the recent 1-1 series draw at home to Bangladesh, former captain Ricky Ponting noted that the player's spot had become untenable.

However, the tourists have kept faith with the South Africa-born player, and he is set to line up at his usual number three berth at Kingsmead. Australia begin their first Test series in the country since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, with veterans Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Matt Renshaw among the survivors from that squad.

On the final day of the tune-up, Steve Smith followed Labuschagne by retiring out after scoring 61, while Matt Renshaw contributed 32 and Alex Carey made 57 as Australia reached 368-6 in reply to the hosts' 318-7. Earlier on day one, the team utilized 11 bowlers to manage workloads, with seven claiming a wicket apiece while keeping the seamers under 10 overs each.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Cameron Green missed the fixture due to an abdominal injury picked up in the final ODI against South Africa last week, leaving him doubtful for the series opener. Following the first Test in Durban, the action moves to Gqeberha from October 18 and Cape Town from October 27.