Labuschagne’s possible promotion splits opinion among former Aussie Test stalwarts
Marnus Labuschagne’s possible promotion up the order after David Warner retires has split opinion among Test luminaries, with some calling for the Aussies to back a specialist opener.
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The prospect of Marnus Labuschagne opening the batting has split opinion among Test luminaries, as selectors weigh up whether to move one of Australia’s most prized assets.
Rather than necessarily replacing David Warner with a specialist opener, Australia is putting a premium on returning Cameron Green to fill the vacancy that will arise in the top six midway through this summer.
If that bold plan comes to fruition, it’s Labuschagne who shapes as the logical choice to shift to the top of the order against the West Indies in January, leaving Steve Smith to take his spot at No. 3 and Green to bat at No. 4 with a Sheffield Shield average of 60 in that position.
Australia is set to name Warner for a farewell Test series against Pakistan when the squad is announced on Sunday and retain Mitchell Marsh ahead of Green in the starting XI as the incumbent all-rounder, following Marsh’s heroic injection in the second half of the Ashes.
But selectors don’t want ‘generational talent’ Green out of the team for long and by batting at No. 4 in next week’s Prime Minister’s XI clash in Canberra, on top of this week’s Shield game for Western Australia, the 24-year-old, likely still to be named in the first Test squad, will be cherry-ripe for a return to the Test team at the first opportunity.
Not everyone agrees, but former Test vice-captain Brad Haddin has backed selectors’ conviction to return Green as its No. 1 priority, and believes Labuschagne would handle the step up to opening the batting against the Windies once Warner has retired.
“I think Marnus is a ready-made opener,” Haddin said.
“He’s done it in his early career.
“He’s been successful at No. 3 which would be the only hiccup if you move him.
“But I think his technique has shown he likes to bat long periods of time.
“He knows where his off stump is and I actually don’t think it will be a big move for Marnus to go up from 3 to opening.
“And I think you’ve invested so much time in Cameron Green that if that spot does come available you want him playing as much Test cricket as you possibly can. Mitch Marsh deserves to hold his spot and Cameron Green, he averages 60 at 4.
“It all makes sense if an opportunity opens up.”
However, former Test coach John Buchanan and former Test captain Kim Hughes have warned of the dangers of moving Labuschagne when he has spent the past few years establishing a reputation as the best batsman in the world at No.3.
“You have to reward performances in Sheffield Shield cricket and I know I’m a West Australian but Cameron Bancroft has been treated diabolically after scoring so many runs in recent times,’’ Hughes said.
“Opening is the toughest place to bat. I would leave Marnus where he is and put Bancroft in.’’
Labuschagne, who scored a second ball duck for Queensland against Western Australia at the Gabba on Wednesday, opened for the Bulls in his first season nine years ago, averaging 20.
Buchanan said: “If there is a person who is up for a challenge it would be Marnus but when you look at the order it is about to go through a period of change. Warner is going soon, Khawaja won’t be far away and Steve Smith may not go on much longer.
“With 1-2 and 4 moving on in a short period maybe there is more reason to hold him at three. They may say while Khawaja and Smith are still going it might be the right time to change things.
“Bancroft had a fantastic season yet he doesn’t get mentioned as much as he should and Matt Renshaw has done some good work as well. I would probably prefer a specialist opener.’’
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