‘It’s best for the team’: Marnus Labuschagne responds to David Warner’s opener call

Marnus Labuschagne has responded to David Warner naming him as a candidate to open the batting this summer in Australia’s Test series against India.

Marnus Labuschagne will open for Australia if the selectors want him to – but senses they are looking elsewhere.

The Great Opening Debate over the vacant spot in Australia’s Test team is more clouded than ever after two rounds of Sheffield Shield cricket.

David Warner has suggested experienced number three Labuschagne should be an option to open for the first Test against India with South Australia’s impressive Nathan McSweeney an option at number three.

Labuschagne is clearly happy where he at three is but knows the team comes first.

“Currently, I would say I’ve played my career at number three has been relatively successful,’’ Labuschagne said after Queensland’s 129 run loss to South Australia at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field.

Queensland were bowled out for 229 with the improving Jack Clayton making 91 and unsung seamer Nathan McAndrew taking 5-38.

Do you think Marnus Labuschagne should open this summer? Picture: Getty Images

“Hopefully it should be more successful but that’s where I’ve batted, and if they think that I should move and that’s best for the team, and that’s what will happen.

“But at this stage, I think they’ve made it pretty clear that they’re gonna look down the opener route, or someone’s gonna fill the number one or two spot. Who that is? That’s anyone’s guess.

'I don't think I've ever seen that!'

Marnus Labuschagne as #SheffieldShield captain is an experience 😂

Watch his full (and very entertaining) three-over spell from day one at the WACA: https://t.co/5oPc5eu6Jnpic.twitter.com/OCE2vNcxKR

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 9, 2024

“You work out what’s best for Australia and where the gap is. At this stage it looks like it is the opening spot. Travis Head is good at five, Steve Smith the best ever at four, I have been all right at three. Mitch Marsh in his comeback has been very good at six. Alex Carey is on fire (at seven).

“I am going to do what is best for the team but at this stage it looks as if that (a specialist opener) is the way we are going to go.’’

Marnus Labuschagne has had an average start to the Shield season. Picture: Getty Images

Labuschagne smiled when asked for his reaction to Warner’s offer to return to the Test side to help Australia in its hour of need.

“I laughed because I don’t know if he is being serious – he is always joking and it is hard to tell with Cannon (Warner) but I mean, he is a phenomenal player. That’s out of my scope. I don’t know what to make of that.’’

Australia has abandoned the experiment of Steve Smith at opener – he will return to four – and Smith said Labuschagne had urged him to make the switch back.

“I think one of the best players in Australia batting in the position he has had the most success in … it is a pretty simple fix. Cameron Green is injured so why not have the person who has done best for Australia in this position.’’

Labuschagne bowled 27 overs of medium pace in the match but said he was in no way auditioning for the role of Test match allrounder.

“I just try and help the team out where we can. We had injuries and no all-rounder. That is all it is.’’

Originally published as ‘It’s best for the team’: Marnus Labuschagne responds to David Warner’s opener call