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Leadership duties await Marnus Labuschagne on domestic soil as he prepares to skipper Queensland in their One-Day Cup opener against Victoria at Allan Border Field on September 20, 2026. Following a subsequent clash with New South Wales two days later, the state side's Test-bound contingent will depart for their tour of South Africa.
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Marnus Labuschagne to lead Queensland in One-Day Cup
This captaincy stint, a role Labuschagne has held for the Bulls since the start of the 2024-25 summer, comes amidst mounting pressure regarding his international output. His spot in Australia's red-ball top order has faced increasing debate, particularly after managing scores of just 1, 31, and 4 in last month's series against Bangladesh. The lean patch has extended his Test century drought to 43 innings, with his average hovering at 25.43 since the 2023 Ashes.
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Suspense grows over Labuschagne's place in Australia's playing XI in SA Tests
While he earned selection in the Test touring party for South Africa, selection chief George Bailey declined to guarantee him a spot in the XI for the series opener in Durban. Furthermore, Labuschagne was left out of the white-ball squad currently touring Zimbabwe ahead of a three-match ODI series in South Africa, where marquee figures Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are set to return. Bailey indicated that bypassing the 50-over international fixtures might ultimately work to Labuschagne's advantage, allowing him to refine his technique and focus entirely on red-ball preparation.
Facing heightened scrutiny over his recent international form, Labuschagne has acknowledged the mounting pressure following an unusual positional demotion to No.7 during June 2026's ODI series against Bangladesh. Ahead of the upcoming Test matches in South Africa, his primary warm-up outside of domestic cricket will be a two-day fixture in Potchefstroom early next month.
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