Marnus Labuschagne may find himself in an unfamiliar opening role as Australia prepares for the World Test Championship final. Usman Khawaja, his potential partner at the crease, believes Labuschagne’s experience and skill will serve him and the team well. The selectors are likely to favour Labuschagne’s proven track record, including 11 Test centuries, over introducing 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who made a flashy debut against India.
Labuschagne, mostly a No. 3 batsman, has previously opened 15 times in first-class cricket, though not since 2016. Khawaja, who embraced opening in early 2022, understands such a transition. “You don’t always get to choose in Australia. You’ve got six of the best batsmen in the country,” Khawaja remarked while promoting Prime Video’s coverage of the final. “The best place for me to bat for the team is to open. If it’s the same for Marnus, I’m 100% sure he’ll be fine.”
The selectors’ decision is timely, with the Ashes looming later this year. Khawaja appreciates the versatility required in top-level cricket, highlighting how opening isn’t necessarily harder for someone used to batting further down the order. “When you bat three, I think the opening is an easier transition. The only hard part is if you have to quickly change your pads after fielding,” Khawaja noted. “But Marnus is a terrific player. If he gets an opportunity, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Despite Labuschagne’s jokes about having “opening-itis,” he remains committed to doing what’s best for the team. Khawaja, conscious of frequent changes in Australia’s opening partnerships post-David Warner, is unperturbed. He sees each change as a strategic move rather than a hindrance to team stability.
Ultimately, Khawaja’s views reflect a belief that adaptability and a team-first mindset are key in cricket. For Labuschagne, this opening role may not be his first choice, but with his batting credentials, there’s every reason for optimism if he takes on the challenge at Lord’s.
