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

November 2, 2026 — 1:32pmFar 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.Jack Clayton is scoring runs at the right time.AAPIMAGEThe 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.Marnus Labuschagne barren tour of South Africa has heightened the pressure on his place in the Test team.Getty ImagesUnless 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.Beardman’s time nears as selectors look to futureJon PierikA West Australian fast bowler mentored by Dennis Lillee has been all but anointed as a future Test player after being drafted into Australia’s one-day international squad to face England.Mahli Beardman has already played T20s for Australia earlier this year.Getty ImagesPace ace Mahli Beardman, 21, was named in a 14-man ODI squad on Monday that will play three matches against England this month, beginning in Perth next Friday.Beardman has battled lower-back stress fractures through his young career but impressed on the recent Australia A tour of India, claiming 4-23 and notching speeds in excess of 140km/h in his third game back from injury.Australia have rested frontline quicks Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the series, ensuring Beardman will have ample opportunity to show what he is capable of.Australia ODI and T20 squads vs EnglandODI 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 ZampaT20 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 ZampaSelection chairman George Bailey said Beardman, who has had pace great Lillee as his mentor since his mid-teenage years, was firmly in his panel’s plans.“Mahli Beardman’s recent performances for Australia A were impressive and we are incredibly excited for his return to the national team across the ODI and T20 formats,” Bailey said.“We think he can continue to develop into an all-format player across the coming years.”Beardman has also been named in the T20 squad, which will play five games against England, beginning November 21. Mitch Marsh will skipper both teams.Emerging batting star Ollie Peake is the only Victorian in the ODI squad. Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson will join Beardman as the specialist fast bowlers for the ODI series, while all-rounders Jack Edwards and Liam Scott can also provide pace.Victorian Sam Harper and NSW wicketkeeper-batsman Lachlan Shaw are potential debutants in the 14-man T20 squad. Travis Head and Cameron Green are among those rested.“We are in the middle of a highly demanding phase of our schedule,” Bailey said.“Our multi-format players are transitioning directly from the tour of South Africa into an ODI and T20 series, leaving a narrow window to ensure the squad is physically prepared and fresh for the upcoming New Zealand Test series.“Then, from when the Test players assemble in Perth through to the conclusion of the 150th anniversary Test against England, the team will have been on the road for more than 100 days.“Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.More:Test cricketSheffield ShieldFor subscribersSouth AfricaThe GabbaFrom our partners