Marnus v Konstas: Cummins locks in final call on crucial decisions

Marnus Labuschagne has save his Test career, with teenage tyro Sam Konstas once again forced to wait as Pat Cummins locked in his Australian XI for the WTC final against South Africa.

The Grand Final style status of the World Test Championship has helped Marnus Labuschagne save his career as a Test opener, with teenage tyro Sam Konstas once again forced to wait.

Australian captain Pat Cummins locked in his XI for the decider against South Africa at Lord’s starting on Wednesday, with Cameron Green named to return at No.3, Josh Hazlewood beating out Scott Boland in the attack and allrounder Beau Webster backed in for the biggest match of his career.

Cummins said selection could be a completely different ballgame again in the West Indies later this month, with pressure on Labuschagne to immediately nail his new position at the top of the order or risk being axed in the next Test.

Ultimately Labuschagne has been rewarded for his experience record in English conditions and Cummins encouraged his new opener to not die wondering against South Africa’s much-vaunted pace attack.

“I think it’s similar conversations to (what we used to have with) Davey Warner over here. It’s more about the style and how they go about it. We love it when they’re busy and they’re putting pressure back on the bowlers,” Cummins said.

“That’s our message here to Marnus. Opening the batting can be tough but it can also be sometimes the best time to bat here before the Dukes ball actually starts swinging.

“There’s runs to be scored there. Keeping that positive intent is when he’s been at his best.”

READ MORE: How to watch the World Test Championship final

Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne during the Test series against India. Picture: AFP

South African captain Temba Bavuma declared the promotion of Labuschagne to an unfamiliar position is a vulnerability his world class bowlers can exploit.

“Yeah I think there is an opportunity there. I think the conditions also bring us into the game a lot with the swinging ball.

“It’s very different to Australian conditions. Different to South African conditions as well. That definitely gives us an opportunity.

“I think both teams have formidable bowling attacks. I think the real opportunity is within the two batting line-ups and how they are able to kind of front up and give their bowlers a score to bowl at.”

Cummins said ultimately Cameron Green’s red hot form in English county cricket had demanded he be picked, meaning the squeeze has once again been put on Konstas.

Remarkably the man who turned the tide for Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the MCG and SCG has not been picked since.

Scott Boland bowled Australia to victory in the Border-Gavaskar trophy. He hasn’t played for Australia since. Picture: Tom Parrish

But Cummins warned selectors will look at the upcoming three-Test tour of the West Indies with a clean slate, admitting there was a unique aspect to how the team for the WTC Final was picked.

“Yeah absolutely. It’s a Final so … the selectors picked the best XI for this week,” Cummins said.

“I think as George (National Selector, George Bailey) has said in the past, there’s not really a huge connection between this week and the Caribbean. It’s quite separate.

“The main reason being this is the Final. There’s different conditions. We just wanted to pick what’s best for this weekend. Think about the Windies after this game.

“(Marnus is) a somewhat known quantity. I think our selectors are probably showing you they’d rather give someone an extra little run than pull the pin too early and Marn’s, again he’s played some crucial knocks in getting us here.

“Look back to the MCG. His batting was right up there as the difference in that match. I think it’s part rewarding those guys who got us here.”

Cummins did not rule out the possibility that returning Konstas to the XI in the West Indies might be a priority leading into the summer’s Ashes.

Selectors will hope they have not hurt Konstas’ development by not playing him in Sri Lanka or now in England.

Sam Konstas may play for Australia again soon, but it won’t be in the World Test Championship final. Picture: AFP

“It’s something the selectors were always weighing up. Realistically he’s really young. He’s got a young career ahead of him. Hopefully even by not playing, being in Sri Lanka and here, they’re learning opportunities,” Cummins said.

“At the same time, guys like Beau Webster are starting up their Test career as well. Obviously Cam Green comes back in here. Josh Inglis got a chance to start his Test career.

“I think it’s a good problem that we have three or four guys who are all right on the fringe and cusp of getting a good run in Test cricket.

“I think we get through this match and see. Ideally we’ve got guys who are, by that first (Ashes) Test, you’ve got your side pretty settled a fair way out.

“I’m sure some Shield cricket will come into it before that series. There’s a lot of water to go under that bridge. But in a perfect world you’ve got lots of guys who have played some Test matches, quite a few Test matches leading into that Ashes.”

Cummins said Boland was hard done by to miss out to Hazlewood but insisted the Victorian would still play a crucial role for Australia over the next couple of years.

Originally published as Marnus v Konstas: Cummins locks in final call on crucial decisions