Kerry O'Keeffe tips Aussie cricket star's Test career to be over after breaking 133-year record

Aussie cricket icon Kerry O'Keeffe believes the Test career of an under-fire batter will come to an end unless he can score some runs in the second innings in Cape Town. The Aussies went to stumps at 4-330 after Matt Renshaw (74), Cameron Green (65), Josh Inglis (85 not out) and Alex Carey (51 not out) put the tourists in control of the third Test.

It represented a one-run lead over the Proteas with six wickets still in hand. The only bleak moment for Australia on an otherwise brilliant day was Marnus Labuschagne falling for 0.

The No.3 batter looked tentative in his five-ball stay at the crease before nicking a regulation ball from Simon Harmer to slip. It marked 48 innings without a Test century for Labuschagne, which broke the all-time record for an Australian.

Alick Bannerman had held the ignominious record since 1893 with 47 consecutive innings without a ton. But after 133 years the record now belongs to Labuschagne.

Marnus Labuschagne's Test cricket career over?

And according to O'Keeffe it'll be lights out on his Test career unless he can find some runs in the second dig. Inglis has likely taken Labuschagne's spot for the home summer considering Steve Smith will come back in as well.

"If he doesn't get runs in the second innings, then the regeneration of this team will start with Marnus, and there won't be any way back because they should give those that come in an extended chance to secure themselves," O'Keeffe said on Fox Sports.

"Marnus has served grandly. There's no denying he's been a great servant of this Test team, but his average is now in free fall and he's not playing like the No.3 should."

Mark Waugh said his dismissal wasn't that of a Test No.3. "It'd be second nature to come down the ground and knock that to mid-on," Waugh said. "It's a decent ball, but it shouldn't get you out, not a No.3 at international level.

"He should have been forward, should have pushed it down the ground. He was tentative and he's not getting much luck by the same token at the moment. He's given one chance and he's gone."

Former Test opener Simon Katich turned the blowtorch on selectors as well. "That's the pressure the Australian selectors have put him under for an extended period of time. They deserve to be in the same situation as him here," Katich said on SEN radio.

'"They put him in this position by not making the decision to give him a breather. I feel for him. I've been through it and it is not pleasant."