How Marnus Labuschagne could create a big problem - if he succeeds, fails or lands somewhere in the middle

Usman Khawaja once said Marnus Labuschagne had ‘opening-itis’ but it may not stop them batting together at Lord’s. And that creates plenty of problems for Australia.

The trouble with Marnus Labuschagne opening the batting in a Test is that will create more complications if he succeeds than fails.

And if he falls somewhere in the middle – let’s say innings of 49 and 43 - it creates more problems than both of the above outcomes.

This is the bizarre truth of Australia’s tentative plan to push Labuschagne to the top of the order for the World Test Championship against South Africa at Lord’s from June 11-15.

And it’s why Australia, if they want Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the same side at the expense of Sam Konstas, should open with Green because it would mean less disruption down the track when, inevitably, things change again.

Marnus Labuschagne walks off after he was dismissed in the Second Test in Sri Lanka in February. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

And it would give Labuschagne one last chance to save his immediate Test future in his favourite batting position at No 3, the place he has filled since Test selector Greg Chappell, running thin of options, asked him to fill the role and he said “I’d love to.’’

That’s a contrast to another tale about his appetite for opening which came when David Warner was on the verge of retirement 18 months ago and Usman Khawaja was asked whether his Queensland Bulls team-mate Labuschagne was ready to open.

Khawaja flashed the smile of a man who couldn’t wait to offer a cheeky one-liner then said “Have you asked Marnus this? I think he would give you a really clear, ‘hell no … Marnus has got opening-itis.’’

Khawaja’s smile broadened as he said it but, as is often the case with him, the hard edge of what he saw was the truth was softened by a comical delivery.

The complicating factor to the Lord’s selection is that neither Labuschagne nor Green are pencilled in to open against England next summer which means further change is ahead.

Konstas is likely to be required against England after his mesmerizing, not flawless but still hugely decisive effort against India last summer.

Sam Konstas in action during the Australian summer. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

If, as expected, he is recalled against England it makes sense for Konstas to be included for the three Test series against the West Indies which follows the Test against South Africa to give him a runway to the Ashes.

If Labuschagne is chosen for Lord’s he will be the fourth different opening batsman Australia has chosen in six Tests. For a successful side, that’s an unprecedented case of musical batsmen. At some point soon things have to settle down.

It is not as if Australia has any long term plans for him in that position and iIf he opens and fails at Lord’s Labuschagne is expected to be replaced by Konstas in the West Indies in a direct swap. That’s easy.

But if he succeeds things get awkward in a hurry. There is no plan for Labuschagne to open against the West Indies or England but how do you drop or move him if he made a century?

And the fact that the Ashes is likely to be Khawaja’s final Test series accentuates the need for Australia to maximize the influence of his sagely presence by including a member of Generation Next with him.

Soon enough Australia is likely to have two fresh faces opening the batting in Tests. The more time one of them spends with Khawaja now, the better.

Originally published as How Marnus Labuschagne could create a big problem - if he succeeds, fails or lands somewhere in the middle