Labuschagne could do something he’s never done before in Test championship final

Australia’s head selector George Bailey has confirmed that Marnus Labuschagne is a live option to open the batting for the first time in his Test career in the upcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s.

As flagged by this masthead, Australian selectors are considering putting Labuschagne at the top of the order with Usman Khawaja for the one-off winner-takes-all fixture starting on June 11.

Labuschagne and Sam Konstas have been included in Australia’s squad for the WTC final and West Indies tour as selectors named a settled group of 16 players that includes second spinner Matt Kuhnemann and South Australian quick Brendan Doggett as a travelling reserve.

The same players – barring any injuries – will then travel from London to Barbados ahead of the opening Test against the West Indies on June 25.

Labuschagne, who will play two matches for Glamorgan before the WTC final, has never opened in Tests. The quality of South Africa’s pace attack and English conditions will favour an opener who has experienced the challenge of both.

Asked about the opening conundrum, Bailey said a decision hadn’t been made but confirmed Labuschagne could be thrown up from No.3 to open.

“It’s a good question. I don’t think we’re probably in a position to announce,” Bailey said in Brisbane.

“We have been really strong on trying to delineate between the World Test Championship final and then separate out the West Indies.

“I think he [Labuschagne] could do it. I’m not trying to be cryptic about it and [that] we’re sitting on the XI, and we know what it is … but we’re not announcing it. I just think there’s quite a bit to work through.

“I know there is a prevailing thought that [opening] is a specialised role, but I think in certain conditions other guys could do it.”

It’s expected Sam Konstas will make way at the top of the Australian order for Marnus Labuschagne.Credit: Getty/AP

Pat Cummins returns to captain the side after sitting out the Sri Lanka tour due to the birth of his second child. Fellow Test regulars Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green also return from injury.

Hazlewood has been managing a minor shoulder issue, but team officials believe he is in no doubt for Australia’s tilt at a second straight World Test Championship title.

Green and fellow all-rounder Beau Webster could be in a head-to-head battle for a spot in the XI that may be largely resolved by the conditions at Lord’s and the preferred team balance.

If Labuschagne opens, it increases the likelihood of Green and Webster playing in the same side. Steve Smith is likely to remain at No.4.

Cam Green raises the bat after reaching 150 against New Zealand.Credit: AP

Since returning from a back injury, Green has made scores of 112, 3, 4, 2 and 8 in the county championship, while Webster has 106 runs and two wickets from his two matches for Warwickshire.

“I think it’s great that he’s playing,” said Bailey of Green. “I think he pulled up pretty sore after that first innings [in the UK], having not played for a little while.

“We know he’s a quality player. We know he’s a proven performer at Test level, so how many runs he gets is not necessarily as much of a concern as just getting some matches under his belt.”

Konstas was named to tour Sri Lanka earlier this year but returned to Australia after being overlooked for both Tests in Galle. The 19-year-old will embark on his first tour of England, hoping to resume his spot at the top of the order next to Khawaja.

“I think it’s pretty clear that he’s not the finished product,” Bailey said. “He’s on a journey. He’s a highly talented player. We like [that] he’s a quick learner. He’s really keen to learn. He’s shown an amazing ability to adapt and change the way he plays. Any opportunity that he does get around this team, whether that’s actually in the 11 or around the squad, I think he’s going to continue to improve.”

South Australian fast bowler Doggett, who finished fifth on the Sheffield Shield wicket-takers list with 33 wickets at 24.15, joins the squad as cover for Australia’s frontline pace attack of Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.

There was no room for top-order batter Nathan McSweeney, who featured in the early part of the summer against India, or NSW all-rounder Sean Abbott.

“I think he took six-fa in the Australia A game very early on in the season. We’ve always had our eye on Brendan for a long time,” Bailey said.

Australia won the last World Test Championship final in 2023, against India at The Oval, thanks to first innings centuries from Steve Smith (121) and Travis Head (163).

Australia last played South Africa in the home summer of 2022-23, beating the Proteas 2-0 in a three-Test series.

South Africa named their squad a little later on Tuesday than Australia, recalling quick bowler speedster Lungi Ngidi as he mounts a comeback following a groin injury.

South Africa’s squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson.

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.