Connolly looms key as Aussies piece together top-order puzzle

Australia's selectors have said they will not be rushed into a decision on who bats at No.3 in the first Test against South Africa, and left the door ajar for further shuffling of the batting order.

Incumbent Marnus Labuschagne retained his place in the 16-player Test squad announced today after a lean series against Bangladesh, with seleciton panel chair George Bailey admitting they would consider tweaking the roles of Travis Head and Steve Smith in a bid to sure up the misfiring batting order.

Bailey pointed to the fact that any apparent failings at the top of the order were not having a major impact on the side's results, having not lost a Test series since the 2022-23 season.

"I think our batting group in its entirety, not just 'Marn', probably hasn't been functioning as successfully as we would like," Bailey told reporters today. "But also not shying away from the fact that we've continued to win a lot of Test matches over that period, and ultimately that's the key, isn't it?"

But it's a solution Australia will be hoping to find sooner rather than later.

The next assignment for the group is three Tests in South Africa, a country that has proven to be a nightmare specifically for No.3 batters.

Since the Covid pandemic, the average of all Test No.3s there is 10 runs lower than the opening batters, making it statistically the toughest spot to bat in the Rainbow Nation.

Australia captain Pat Cummins has said on many occasions that he believes batting positions are "overrated" and Bailey concurred, saying that "any of that batting group" could fill the No.3 position if required.

Labuschagne has been the side's full-time No.3 since the beginning of the 2019-20 summer, except for four matches in mid-2025 when he was replaced by Cameron Green.

But despite enduring a three-year Test century drought, the selectors are hopeful the 32-year-old's omission from the ODI side will help him get his red-ball game in order ahead of the series opener in Durban on October 9.

"We not shying away from the fact that we'd like some more runs from 'Marn'," Bailey said. "That's clear, but we're also confident that that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad.

"Clearly, there's potentially a simplification (of his preparation), or an ability to focus purely on red-ball cricket for him, in the fact that he won't be in the one-day series leading up to it, so that that may be a benefit."

Australia have a two-day tour game in Potchefstroom before the first Test that will shape as an important dress rehearsal for Labuschagne and his fellow batters. Twenty-three-year-old Cooper Connolly received a glowing endorsement from Bailey in an indication his name is one of the few vying for Labuschagne's role.

"(Connolly has been) primarily picked in this squad as a batsman, but that secondary skillset (bowling) may come into consideration depending on what sort of conditions we do face in South Africa.

"I think he's got a game that's well suited to the middle order but no doubt, as he matures and continues to grow his game, I think there's a capacity there where he could bat further up the order."

When asked if Connolly could bat at No.3, Bailey replied, "Yeah, ultimately, I think he will be able to. Whether that's now, whether that's in the future (remains to be seen).

"(He is) still so young in his career, but I think his ability to bat in a range of positions will continue to grow as he gets more and more experience."

Connolly only has one first-class innings at No.3 in his fledgling career to date, but broke through on the international stage as an opener in one-day cricket in June with a magnificent 149 in an ODI against Bangladesh.

Smith is another who could take the responsibility of moving to first drop, given he has vast experience there, but the 37-year-old has made clear in the past his preference for No.4.

The master batter averages 65.22 from 30 innings at No.3, with eight of his 37 Test tons coming in that position.  

That potential move, along with shifting Head back to the middle order, are "all questions that will be on the table" according to Bailey.

"The success that he (Head) had at five, but also the success he has had at the top, and what he provides to the structure of the team there (will be discussed)," Bailey said.

"Steve (Smith) has batted at three for a large part of his career – hasn't done it for a little while – and has had success there. So absolutely, that'll be a conversation at some point."

Another option is Josh Inglis, who fulfills a dual role as backup wicketkeeper for Alex Carey but also has a Test century under his belt, having batted everywhere from four to seven in his five Tests so far. 

"'Ingo' probably gets lost a little bit, given the fact he's been in so many squads, but not necessarily had the opportunities," said Bailey. "But he is one I think who potentially can – and again has shown this probably more in white-ball cricket – but has the ability to bat in a range of positions."

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First ODI: September 24, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6pm AEST (10am local)

Second ODI: September 27, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, 6pm AEST (10am local)

Third ODI: September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 9:30pm AEST (D/N, 1:30pm local)

Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Warm-up match: October 3-4, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 6pm AEST (10am local)

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6:30pm AEDT (9:30am local)

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster