Former Australia cricketer and selector David Boon has excluded Marnus Labuschagne from his preferred Australia squad for the crucial Ashes series, which begins on November 21 in Perth. The five-match Test series will also take place in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.
David Boon, who ended his tenure as an ICC Match Referee earlier this year, has shown his support for the struggling opening pair of Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja to start in Perth, despite their poor performances against the West Indies. For the record, Khawaja and Labuschagne opened for Australia in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa at Lord’s in June. Labuschagne was dropped for the West Indies tour in June-July after scoring 17 and 22. Konstas, who replaced Labuschagne managed to score only 50 runs at an average of 8.3 while Khawaja averaged 19.5.
David Boon’s Thoughts on Australia’s Ashes Squad.
Speaking to SEN Tassie radio David Boon said: “I’ve got to be a bit careful here because if I get too hard one way, George Bailey won’t speak to me. I don’t think there will be that much change in the Perth team. The way it has been selected in the last six months or so, I don’t think there will be much change but there will be change after the Ashes. I’d stick with Usman and there’s a choice to make in the second opener. I’d like them to give Konstas a go, with Smith 3, Head 4, Green at 5, Webster at 6, Carey 7 then Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon.”
Australia are the current holders of the Ashes, having won the series in 2021/22 and drawing the series in England in 2023 2-2. Boon also mentioned Jake Weatherald, Nathan McSweeney, and Campbell Kellaway as potential future players for the Australian Test Team.
He said: “Boland will be in the squad, then it depends, the second opening position may depend on the four shield games prior to the Ashes. There are three names for me: Jake Weatherald and then two young talented players in Nathan McSweeney and Campbell Kellaway from Victoria. The key is, those that may be in the mix, they have to play those four Shield games for maximum opportunity.”
Marnus Labuschagne Career At Cross Roads?
Marnus Labuschagne who was once a permanent member of the Australian side now finds himself out of the team and needs to do really well to come back in the side. David Boon has excluded Labuschagne from the Ashes squad as he was inconsistent in the last two years and the patience ran out for the Australian selectors. But Marnus has the experience batting at 3 and he is willing to open as well. The fact of the matter is, Australia needs a solid top 3 as that is in a real shambles at the moment.
Usman Khawaja is blowing hot and cold while Sam Konstas has been awful to say the least although he is being backed by Australian legends. Cameron Green is not a permanent Number 3 and is batting there since he cannot bowl at this stage. The middle order looks well settled at this stage. So, Marnus’ inclusion would help Australia as he has played that in this position before at 3. But he also needs to go back to the drawing board and show his true mettle out there. Runs in Shield Cricket is needed for Labuschagne.
There are other contenders like Nathan McSweeney and Campbell Kellaway who will be in the mix and not to forget Jake Weatherald who has done well last season in Shield Cricket. It remains to be seen who is in form at the right time as Australia goes purely with form and not with any reputation. Form will count and if Marnus can find form at the right time whether opening the batting or batting at 3, he will be back in reckoning for Ashes for sure. Let’s see how things pan out from here for Marnus and others.
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