To drop or not to drop: Our ‘selectors’ on the Marnus dilemma dividing Australian cricket

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The options are limited. But after Australia copped a drubbing in Gqeberha, the calls are growing for changes to the nation’s Test cricket team.

With the three-match series against South Africa locked at 1-1, Pat Cummins’ men have just a few days to prepare for Tuesday’s Test in Cape Town as they look to rebound from their loss by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test.

Sitting on the sidelines but in the Australian squad for that game were Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Cooper Connolly, Sam Harper, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann and all-rounder Cameron Green, who has recovered from injury to play as a batter but would be unlikely to bowl if selected.

Picking a team to win the series-deciding Test is a fraught task, but that’s what we’ve asked our reporters to do, led by chief cricket writer Dan Brettig, Sydney Morning Herald chief sports writer Tom Decent and The Age’s Andrew Wu and Jon Pierik. Here are the teams they’d pick for Cape Town. Did they get it right? Let us know in the comments.

Dropping Marnus Labuschagne seems like something Australia simply must do until one considers exactly the scenario facing the national selectors.

After their abysmal batting in Gqeberha and, in fairness, periods in Durban too, the tourists must find a way to absorb more of the new ball before the stroke makers come in.

Ostensibly that task should fall to Matt Renshaw, but his success at Kingsmead, particularly batting with the tail, makes a strong case for keeping him at five to win this week in Cape Town.

Similarly, Labuschagne’s tendency to get through the “tough period” affords him value at the top, much as the selectors chose to use him in the world Test championship final last year.

Cameron Green should not........

© The Age