Aussie who could seal Marnus’ fate; ‘really awkward’ situation to avoid: Expert verdict

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The stage is set for Australia and South Africa to do battle on the final day of the third and deciding Test, with the series on the line and the Aussies chasing 288 runs for victory.

Fox Sports Australia spoke exclusively with Australian cricket greats Kerry O’Keeffe, Michael Hussey and Brendon Julian ahead of today’s play to get their thoughts on the biggest talking points heading into day five.

From Marnus Labuschagne potentially batting to save his Test career, to the keys for Australia if they are to pull off a famous victory.

There’s also what a series win could mean for the legacy of this Australian side, alongside the heated battle expected between the two rivals on the final day.

The three experts have weighed in on it all ahead of what promises to be a thrilling finish, with coverage beginning at 7:00pm AEDT.

MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE TO PLAY FOR HIS CAREER

Marnus Labuschagne is batting for his Test career on the final day of the third and deciding Test, as Australia looks to pull off a stunning victory against South Africa.

That’s the view of Australian cricket great Kerry O’Keeffe, who believes the pressure is firmly on the struggling No.3 to deliver in the second innings, with Australia chasing 288 runs for victory.

“I think he’s playing for his career in this second innings,” O’Keeffe told foxsports.com.au.

“He’s been a marvellous player, but he’s in a drought, and they’ve given him a lot of opportunity to get out of it.

“It hasn’t happened yet.”

Former Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian shares a similar view and believes the uncertainty surrounding Labuschagne’s future could give him the freedom to play his natural game, with his place in the side under serious threat.

“He’s got an advantage here to go, if they’re going to drop me, I’m just going to go for it. I’m going to play my shots,” Julian told foxsports.com.au.

“He’s looked tentative. He hasn’t looked settled at the crease.

“I think this is an opportunity for him just to let it go and swing hard. That’s what I’d be doing.”

Julian went a step further, suggesting Labuschagne’s place in the side could already be lost ahead of Australia’s next Test against New Zealand in Perth.

“I don’t think he’s going to play the next Test match in Perth,” Julian said.

However, former Australian batter Michael Hussey isn’t prepared to write Labuschagne off just yet, although he admits another failure could see the 32-year-old spend some time out of the side.

“Well, I’d never say it’s the end of his Test career if he doesn’t make runs this time,” Hussey told foxsports.com.au.

“It might mean he finds his way out of the team for a little while. But as we’ve seen with other players along their journey, been able to come back and still contribute to the Aussie team.

“It’s just he’s had a bit of a tough couple of years.”

Labuschagne will enter the second innings under enormous pressure after falling for a five-ball duck in the first, having registered scores of 37, 37, 19 and 39 across the opening two Tests of the series.

Despite showing glimpses of his best, the Australian No.3 has been unable to turn his starts into a significant score, with questions continuing to mount over how much longer selectors can persist with him.

O’Keeffe believes the deciding Test presents Labuschagne with a crucial opportunity to prove he still belongs in the Australian side.

“He’s threatened to a couple of times and not gone on with it,” O’Keeffe said.

“Today, batting three in a chase that will captivate everybody, he has to stand up, and if he does, his career progresses.

“If he doesn’t, I think they’ll look at other options.”

Those options could include the likes of Kurtis Patterson, Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas, who have been pushing their cases at Sheffield Shield level.

But Julian believes Labuschagne’s biggest selection headache could already be sitting alongside him in the Australian dressing room, with Josh Inglis strengthening his case for a permanent spot after scoring a century in the first innings.

“Well, you’ve got to look at the guy that’s come in and scored 100. I mean, Josh Inglis has scored 100, you can’t drop him for the next Test match,” Julian said.

“He’s done exactly what you’ve wanted him to do.”

Despite the pressure surrounding Labuschagne, O’Keeffe doesn’t believe he necessarily needs to score a century to save his place.

Instead, the former Australian spinner believes the importance of his contribution to the run chase could ultimately determine whether he has done enough to retain his spot.

“I just think he needs innings of context,” O’Keeffe said.

“If Australia was to go close or even reach the target, if he plays an innings of significance in the chase, then his career is revived, so that is the key.

“I mean, it could be 50 or 60 on a turning pitch, it doesn’t necessarily have to be 100 if Australia get there.”

Hussey shares a similar belief, with the former Australian great more concerned about how Labuschagne bats than the number of runs he scores, although another failure could leave selectors with a difficult decision ahead of the New Zealand series.

“He’s getting good starts, but hasn’t been able to go on with it,” Hussey said.

“That’s probably the disappointing thing for him personally, is that he has had opportunities.

“As long as he gets a really good score, helps Australia win, and looks good while he’s playing, then I guess that gives you a pretty good indication that he’s not in a bad place.”

With the series on the line, Labuschagne has the chance to silence his critics and deliver the innings Australia desperately needs.

But with Steve Smith expected to return and Inglis strengthening his position in the side, another failure could leave selectors with little choice but to make a change.

THE KEYS FOR AUSTRALIA START AT THE TOP

With Australia needing 288 runs to win the deciding Test against South Africa, getting off to a strong start will be crucial if the Aussies are to pull off a famous victory.

Travis Head and Matt Renshaw will have the responsibility of facing the new ball, with O’Keeffe believing the opening partnership could be the difference between winning and losing the series.

“Renshaw has looked the most compact on the turning pitches. He has to survive the new ball against Rabada and Jansen,” O’Keefe said.

“But if he does, he has the game on a slow turning pitch to upset Harmer.”

Julian agrees, pointing to Renshaw’s form throughout the series as a major reason why he could hold the key to Australia’s chase.

“I think the key’s Renshaw. He’s the one that looks most comfortable at the crease, at the top of the order,” Julian said.

But while Renshaw will look to hold things together at one end, Head’s attacking style could be just as important at the other.

The left-hander has the ability to put South Africa under pressure early, with O’Keeffe believing his aggressive approach could give Australia the start they need.

“If he (Head) gets away, he’s going to play his shots, any width he’s going to throw the bat at,” O’Keeffe said.

“It’s gettable on the last day, 90-odd overs, but Trav will have to hit a lot of fours to get them away.”

For Hussey, a strong start is about more than just putting runs on the board, with the opening partnership also having a major role to play in taking the pressure off Australia’s middle order.

“If he (Head) can, play that significant innings, then obviously that would get Australia off to a good start, but it also gives the freedom for the other guys coming in a bit later,” Hussey said.

“If we did happen to lose a few wickets early, then those guys in the middle order, like your Cam Green, your Inglis, your Carey, they’re going to be sort of caught in two minds.”

“Do we keep going hard for the runs, or we can’t afford to lose any more wickets as well?” Hussey said.

“So that indecision makes it a really awkward situation. It’s going to be a fascinating watch, but I probably think the top three are going to be the key.”

But it won’t just be Australia’s batting that determines the outcome, with Julian believing South African captain Temba Bavuma also has a major role to play.

Julian believes Bavuma has missed opportunities with his bowling changes throughout the series and will need to get his decisions right on the final day.

“I reckon he’s missed a lot of opportunities in the match-ups, especially in the first innings,” Julian said.

“So, he’s got to take the initiative, and if they sort of jump on it and put pressure on Australia, it will be hard.”

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THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE HEATED BATTLE ON DAY FIVE

Coming into this series, fireworks were expected between Australia and South Africa, and those same fireworks could explode on the final day.

The tension has been building throughout the three Tests, with O’Keeffe pointing to the moment he believes the rivalry took a turn and the aggression started to show.

“Well, I think there was a lot of chumminess about the first Test,” O’Keeffe said.

“But the moment Rabada came back and Jansen fired up, the chirp started and the aggression.

“It was feisty, Test number two, and it was feisty yesterday (on day four).”

But the tension hasn’t just been between the players, with the South African crowd also getting involved throughout the third Test.

O’Keeffe believes the home crowd played a major role on day four and could have an even bigger impact with the series on the line on day five.

“There was a lot of chirping from the crowd that the Australian players had got them off the bit,” O’Keeffe said.

“I hope the crowd turns up today because it could be a red-letter day for South African cricket.

“They were a huge influence on the day’s play yesterday.”

Hussey shares a similar view, believing the series has continued to heat up after a relatively quiet start, with the pressure of a deciding Test potentially pushing players to their limits.

“It seemed a little bit tame to start with. Everyone was probably just wanting to be on their best behaviour, I guess,“ Hussey said.

“But as two really good teams go head-to-head and the series is on the line, tough cricket, probably players are starting to get tired, both mentally and physically.

“You’ve got to start drawing on anything you possibly can, and so that’s when sometimes players lose their cool.”

With both sides having enjoyed periods on top throughout the series, the final day is shaping up to be another fierce contest between two teams with plenty of recent history.

Julian believes the rivalry has brought out the best in both sides, with neither team having a clear advantage heading into the final day.

“This is professional sport and this is high-level professional sport as well,” Julian said.

“These two teams went head-to-head at Lord’s in the Test Championship. South Africa beat us over there.

“They’re highly competitive. Look, man for man, our team (Australia) should be better.

“I mean, have a look at our bowlers compared to their bowlers, but they seem to play really well.”

Despite Australia needing 288 runs for victory, Julian believes the contest remains evenly balanced heading into the final day.

“Going into this game here, I wouldn’t say that we’re at an advantage. I wouldn’t say that South Africa are as well,” Julian said.

“I still think it’s pretty evenly poised.”

But for O’Keeffe, the final day could bring everything that has been building throughout the series to a head, with the pressure, aggression and tension all set to reach another level.

“This is now a mean-spirited series and tension today is going to be at fever point,” O’Keeffe said.

“It could boil over.

“I’m really, I’m anticipating this to be as competitive a day of Test cricket as you’ll see.”

AUSTRALIA TO FURTHER CEMENT THEIR LEGACY WITH VICTORY?

Winning a Test series against South Africa in South Africa is just about as tough as it gets in cricket.

If Australia can pull off a famous victory on the final day, it could go a long way towards further cementing the legacy this side has built over the years.

For O’Keeffe, a series victory would be a huge achievement for an ageing Australian side, with several players potentially getting their final opportunity to win a Test series in South Africa.

“Oh, this is a huge plus for their legacy,” O’Keeffe said.

“At one all, with it all on the line, an ageing team, they’re not, none of them are going back to South Africa and to beat South Africa in South Africa is Nirvana.

“So it’s a huge day for everybody involved.”

O’Keeffe also believes a victory would help silence some of the questions that have surrounded the age of the Australian side over the past couple of years.

“If they can chase down this target, then people will forget talking about the age of the team and the ageing fast bowlers and they’ll talk about what a champion team it’s been.”

But Hussey has a slightly different view, believing Australia’s legacy is already secure regardless of the result, although a series victory would only add to what the side has already achieved.

“I don’t think it’ll change their legacy too much if they win or lose or draw the series,” Hussey said.

“I still think they’ll be held in such high regard no matter what happens.

“If they win, it just grows the legacy even more. If they lose, I mean, I don’t think it’s going to change their reputations too much.”

Julian, however, believes a series defeat would bring even more questions about Australia’s selections, with the side still struggling to settle on its best XI.

“The Australians won’t want to lose it. Don’t worry about that,” Julian said.

“We haven’t even got a settled side. We haven’t done that for about 12 or 13 Test matches.

“So, if they lose this series, there’ll be lots of question marks on selection.”

While O’Keeffe believes a victory would be a major moment for Australia’s legacy, Julian believes a win may simply be seen as what was expected of the side.

“If they win this one, it’ll be like, yeah, OK, well, I’d expect you to win,” Julian said.

“So it won’t be more along the lines of a series that they’ll remember, but they’ll remember it really, really badly if they lose it.”