Labuschagne's 111 in Potchefstroom answers the doubts before Australia's Durban Test

Marnus Labuschagne made 111 from 89 balls in Australia's tour match in Potchefstroom, his first century in any cricket for 11 months and his firmest answer yet to the questions over his place at No. 3

Australia's only red-ball rehearsal before the World Test Championship series in South Africa ended in a draw on Sunday, the tourists replying with 368 for 6 to a Cricket South Africa Invitation XI total of 318 for 7 declared.

Labuschagne, who had been batting on the ground where he grew up, reached his hundred from 76 balls and was retired out on 111 with 19 fours behind him.

The innings arrives four days before the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban, and after a stretch of more than three years without a Test century that had left his place in the side openly debated. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting had called his position "untenable".

A hundred from 76 balls

Labuschagne came in after Australia chose to bowl first and the Invitation XI batted through the opening day, and he attacked from the start, taking 13 boundaries from his first 36 deliveries.

By the time he reached three figures he had faced 76 balls, the fastest scoring of a career better known for its accumulation.

Captain Pat Cummins then retired him out on 111 from 89 balls so the rest of the order could have time in the middle, a courtesy the fixture was arranged for.

Smith and Carey fill in the rest

Steve Smith made 61 from 95 balls before he too retired out, and Alex Carey added 57 before falling to a catch at cover off the left-arm spin of Neil Brand.

Beau Webster retired on 42, Matthew Renshaw made 32, Travis Head 22, and Cooper Connolly finished 20 not out as Australia closed on 368 for 6 from 74 overs.

A homecoming in Potchefstroom

Labuschagne was born in South Africa and left as a boy, and the tour match was played close to where he spent his early childhood. His family hosted the Australian squad for a braai earlier in the week.

"It was really nice to see where he grew up and they're great people out here," Renshaw said of the visit.

On the innings itself, Renshaw added: "It looks like he's got a lot of energy at the crease, which is nice. It's the Marn that I know."

Brand's 152 sets the tone

The home side had the better of the first day through former South Africa captain Neil Brand, whose 152 from 174 balls carried 16 fours and five sixes before the declaration at 318 for 7.

Australia used 11 bowlers across the innings, with the fixture treated as a workload exercise rather than a contest.

Brand then took 1-32 from six overs with the ball, the wicket of Carey.

What waits in Durban

Australia, who lead the World Test Championship standings, are without Cameron Green for the opening Test because of an abdominal strain, with Webster taking his place in the middle order.

South Africa have named Anrich Nortje in an 18-player preliminary squad, putting the fast bowler in line for a first Test since 2023. "My prep from quite some time back has been red-ball," Nortje said. "It's been quite a bit of a focus for me to try and execute skills with the red ball."

The series runs from 9 October at Kingsmead to St George's Park in Gqeberha from 18 October and Newlands in Cape Town from 27 October.

Scorecard: Cricket South Africa Invitation XI 318 for 7 declared (Neil Brand 152); Australia 368 for 6 (Marnus Labuschagne 111, Steve Smith 61, Alex Carey 57). Match drawn.

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