State teammate stakes a claim for Labuschagne’s Test spot as selectors eye future

November 2, 2026 — 1:32pm

Far removed from the scrutiny that surrounded Australia’s horror capitulation against South Africa, an unheralded southpaw was building his case for a call-up at a time when the nation’s under-siege batting line-up has been berated across the cricketing landscape.

Jack Clayton played a lone hand in wrestling Queensland back into their Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the Gabba, bringing up his seventh first-class century early on Monday morning to thwart a bowling attack boasting fringe international prospect Fergus O’Neill, seven-Test spinner Todd Murphy and one-day international representative Will Sutherland.

The 27-year-old left-hander played a composed knock in Brisbane, bringing up his ton from 194 deliveries while striking eight boundaries. He was dismissed for 104, as his attempted cut shot flew to Campbell Kellaway at gully off the bowling of Matt Hennig.

His dismissal left the Bulls at 6-211, before they ultimately succumbed for 280 in response to Victoria’s first innings of 307.

Clayton’s knock may just be the most timely of his career, as he seeks to thrust his name forward as an option to usurp his state teammate Marnus Labuschagne in the baggy green.

Labuschagne’s place appears untenable at No.3 after averaging 21.83 in the 2-1 series defeat in South Africa at the end of a period in which he has gone more than three years without a Test century. Rookie Cooper Connolly failed to ignite coming in for the dropped Beau Webster, but the whole batting unit have faced criticism after being rolled for 99 and 111 in the second and third Tests.

Unless selectors are willing to move either Steve Smith or third-Test centurion Josh Inglis to No.3, they will be on the hunt for a top-order specialist ahead of the four-match series against New Zealand should Labuschagne’s form woes – averaging 28.87 with one century since the start of 2023 – result in his axing.

Clayton, who struck half centuries in each of Queensland’s first two Shield games of the summer, now trails only New South Wales opener Ollie Davies for runs this season. The Queenslander and former Brisbane Lions AFL academy prospect’s career average sits at 39 to be one of the few batsmen in the country with an average near 40.

A reshuffle of either Travis Head or Matthew Renshaw back to the middle order could open the door for Victorian Sam Harper, who’s stint as an opener since the latter stages of the 2025/26 summer (scoring two centuries and a 93 after the Big Bash) has reaped rewards.

The wicketkeeper, who was called into the Test squad in South Africa following a century in India for Australia A, scored a first-innings 63 before being clean bowled by Cameron Gannon shouldering arms on day one. He has since been called into Australia’s T20 squad to face England later this month, while his partner at the top of Victoria’s order – 14-Test opener Marcus Harris – supported him with a measured 56.

Kellaway made 64 batting at No.3, however appears to be a long-term proposition, as does teenage ODI representative Ollie Peake (0).

Neither Sam Konstas nor Kurtis Patterson impressed in New South Wales’ comprehensive loss to Tasmania as the Blues were dismissed for 202 and 144, however each have centuries already this campaign and have Test runs on the board.

South Australia’s Nathan McSweeney, who struck a one-day hundred for Australia A on the subcontinent, boasts a 50-over ton and two Shield half-centuries thus far this season.

With a relatively short break until the home Test against New Zealand and a punishing schedule to follow, Australia has opted to rest most of its Test players for two white-ball series against England coming up this month.

Mitch Marsh was named captain of both squads, with the one-day internationals against England to be played at Perth (November 13), Adelaide (November 15) and Hobart (November 18). A five-match T20 series will follow, with games in Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra from November 21 to December 2.

Australia ODI and T20 squads vs England

ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Liam Scott, Adam Zampa

T20 Squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Owen, Lachlan Shaw, Adam Zampa

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