South Africa and Australia are facing each other in the series decider of the three-match Test series in Cape Town. The series is drawn at 1-1, with the Proteas looking to make a comeback win after losing the first game. During the third Test match Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne was out for a duck in the first innings and created an unwanted record.

Australia won the first Test match with ease as they won the game by 214 runs. In the second Test match, the home side came back strong and handed the No.1 Test side an innings defeat, with Temba Bavuma playing a captain’s knock and saving South Africa from defeat. The third and final game is crucial for both sides.

Marnus Labuschagne's awful form continues

Marnus Labuschagne, after being dismissed for a five-ball duck in the third Test match’s first innings, created an unwanted record to his name, as he has gone 15 Test innings without a fifty and 48 innings without a century since July 2023. Despite that, he has been backed by the selection board and also the head coach.

He surpassed the record of Alick Bannerman’s 47-innings drought (1879-93) for the longest century drought by an Australian top-four batter. Marnus Labuschagne's last Test century was 111 runs against England during the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford in Manchester in July 2023. In this series, his highest score is 39, which came in the second Test. This might be the last series for the Aussie batter.

Marnus Labuschagne's recent form

Marnus Labuschagne scored a hundred in the tour game, and everyone believed that he would continue his form in the Test series as well, given the fact that he comes from South Africa. However, he failed to deliver on the big occasion for the Kangaroos till now.

Marnus has scored 37 in both innings of the first Test match and scored 14 in the first innings of the second game and 39 in the second innings. In this, he has scored a duck and would look to score some runs in the second innings to regain his confidence, score a fifty, and then try to get to the three-figure mark.

Australia come back after strong start from South Africa

Coming to the match, Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to field first. It came as a shocker; however, they made four changes, one of which was high-profile and rather forced, as Steve Smith was ruled out of the final game.

After being asked to bat first, the home side had a brilliant start as they stitched an opening stand of 158 runs for the first wicket, with Marques Ackerman playing a brilliant knock of 95 runs, Aiden Markram scoring 78, and David Bedingham scoring a 50 in the latter stages; yet again, Marco Jansen stood tall, scoring 52 runs as the Proteas scored 329 runs.

Australia has been at a decent stage after losing two quick wickets, as they are 105/2 and are slowly building on the innings with Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green at the crease.