Marnus Labuschagne under fire as selection squeeze looms for World Test Championship final

With the rise of Josh Inglis, the return of Cameron Green and a resurgent Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne’s spot in Australia’s Test XI is firmly under the magnifying glass.

Marnus Labuschagne is on notice with Australian coach Andrew McDonald conceding a selection squeeze is looming ahead of June’s World Test Championship final.

As McDonald said he hoped the end was nowhere in sight for the resurgent Steve Smith, his longtime top order ally Labuschagne faces a nervous few months given the emergence of Josh Inglis as a serious Test option, the impending return of Cameron Green, and the promise of Sam Konstas.

Though the Queensland captain struck the winning run in Australia’s nine-wicket win in the second Test at Galle International Stadium, his overall returns have dwindled. Labuschagne is averaging just 28.33 across more than 18 months of this WTC cycle, leaving himself vulnerable to being omitted for the decider against South Africa at Lord’s.

Marnus Labuschagne could face the chop with a looming selection squeeze. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Having missed Australia’s seven Tests this season after undergoing back surgery, all-rounder Green is poised for a stint with English county Gloucestershire ahead of the date with the Proteas, although he is no guarantee to be available to bowl come June.

Travis Head will almost certainly slot back into the middle order as he does outside of Asia, potentially paving the way for Boxing Day Test Konstas to partner Usman Khawaja at the top.

With Beau Webster having done little wrong in the all-rounder slot since his Test debut in Sydney, gloveman Alex Carey in rare touch and both Khawaja and Smith turning back the clock in recent times, Labuschagne shapes as squarely in the gun, albeit there is much cricket to be played before Australia’s next Test.

“The beauty of it is we’ve got some time before we have to make some decisions,” McDonald said.

“And we’ve always said we’ll make the decisions when we need to make them. So I think it’s great to have that depth there. It’s great to have options. Will they all be fit at that time, who fits what conditions and when I think that’s going to be the art of what transpires across the journey? England creates a different challenge. Then off to the West Indies (for three Tests), which can spin, it can also swing and seam so we’ll make those decisions when we get to it, but it’s nice to have depth and options.

“Cameron Green, he’s going to play some County cricket…Josh Inglis, he was a spare batter in Australia as well. We feel like he can go across all conditions. So I think that’s legitimate, that there will be a squeeze, and whoever misses out will be very unlucky, and it’s no different to the bowling space. I mean, Scott Boland is entitled to think that he should start in every Test match as well, and it’s a really good problem to have. And may it long continue to put tough decisions on the selection panel and hopefully we get them right.”

One man who is in no danger of being dropped for the WTC final is Smith, 35, who was player of the series against Sri Lanka and has reprised his best with four centuries from his past five Tests.

However the champion batter will not commit to his long-term future, even though McDonald wants the veteran to keep playing for years to come.

Steve Smith was the player of the series against Sri Lanka. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“Steve’s played a lot of cricket, and we’re blessed to have him,” McDonald said.

“He’s coming into another sweet spot as well in his career. So hopefully, that sort of form, he doesn’t want to give up on that too soon.

“Look, he plays every series and assesses where he’s at at the end of it. And I think when you’re at that age and accomplish so much in your career that you’re entitled to be able to do that. So the day that he goes, it’ll be big hole. And when that comes, we’re not sure at this stage, but I mean, as a coach, I’d love to have him for as long as possible.”

McDonald said Smith and Head remained the only live options to captain Australia at this month’s Champions Trophy, with a decision to be made “over the next couple of days.”

The leadership role has opened up after Pat Cummins and Mitch Marsh were ruled out of the tournament - being co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE - through injury.