When Marnus Labuschagne was churning out runs a few years ago, he was often referred to as a “lucky” batter largely in relation to being given chances that he was able to take advantage of. Now it feels like Marnus Labuschagne, who has been ever present since coming in as Smith’s concussion sub at Lord’s in 2019, is on borrowed time. However, in a twist of fate, could another Smith injury give him one final chance to extend his immediate career?
Usman Khawaja has been backed to be part of the Ashes later this year but Marnus Labuschagne’s spot is becoming increasingly uncertain with Sam Konstas firming for a Test recall in West Indies following Australia’s World Test Championship (WTC) final defeat at Lord’s.
There is a chance that Steven Smith’s finger injury could provide an opening for Marnus Labuschagne to cling onto his spot, after Marnus Labuschagne earned a show of faith at Lord’s partly because he had been ever-present in the WTC cycle, but the point has been reached where even that may not save him.
The selectors will decide in the next 48 hours whether batting reinforcements need to be added to the squad once there is further clarity over Smith’s prognosis, but regardless it’s difficult to see a scenario where 19-year-old Konstas doesn’t return at the top of the order.
Australia’s batting order flops in WTC Finals including Marnus Labuschagne
Heading into the ICC World Test Championship Final against South Africa, Australia were favorites, mainly because of their glittering ICC record and a legendary bowling unit consisting of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon. Australia’s batting unit also had the champion pedigree with a plethora of experienced and game-changing batters present, but all of them failed miserably in the ICC World Test Championship Final.
In the first innings, Usman Khawaja (0), Marnus Labuschagne (17), Cameron Green (4), Travis Head (11), and Alex Carey (23) failed, while Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72) were the only good performers as Australia got bowled out for 212.
In the second innings, Usman Khawaja (6), Marnus Labuschagne (22), Cameron Green (0), Steve Smith (13), Travis Head (9), and Beau Webster (9) failed miserably. Pacer Mitchell Starc (58*) made an amazing contribution with the bat while wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey scored 43 runs to take Australia to 207 runs.
Australia gave South Africa a 282-run target, which they easily chased down with 5 wickets in hand to win the WTC Final. Following Australia’s defeat, the likes of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are under scrutiny, and their place in the team might be in danger. Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald has backed Marnus Labuschagne to get into the Ashes squad despite a poor World Test Championship (WTC) final performance.
Marnus Labuschagne is a big part of future of team- Andrew McDonald
It might be time for a change within the Australian Test team in the wake of their World Test Championship final loss to South Africa, with their recent fragility at the top of the order really coming to the fore at Lord’s in the five-wicket loss. Particularly at risk are both their openers from the match, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja.
Marnus Labuschagne was moved up to open alongside Khawaja at Lord’s, the first time he had done the role in Test cricket, largely to accommodate the returning Cameron Green at No. 3 and came away with scores of 17 and 22 to leave him with an average of 27.82 for the WTC cycle.
With an average in the low 30s over the last three years, Marnus Labuschagne was experimented with as an opener to accommodate him in the team, but that didn’t go to plan as he scored 17 and 22 in the final. Now, with Sam Konstas waiting in the wings and Cameron Green back from injury, Marnus Labuschagne’s future is uncertain. Nevertheless, coach Andrew McDonald gave him his backing, indicating his level of experience would be key to the team as it transitions into a younger unit.
Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald has backed Marnus Labuschagne to get into the Ashes squad despite a poor World Test Championship (WTC) final performance. Labuschagne scored 39 runs in two innings during the WTC final where South Africa beat Australia by five wickets. After the defeat, McDonald was questioned on Marnus Labuschagne’s future in the side with a huge Australian summer awaiting as England will come for the Ashes.
“He’s a big part of the future of the team,” McDonald said to Sydney Morning Herald.
“Anyone that averages 46 in Test cricket at that age is important. We’ve got older players there who are closer to the end than the start, we’ve got some younger players coming in, and you definitely want guys that have got 60-odd Test matches.”
McDonald further argued that the team still had belief in Marnus Labuschagne, and that a change would only come around if they believed his best was behind him. Once averaging 60 through the early part of his career, Marnus Labuschagne’s decline has led to calls for his dropping from the team — and Australia might look at the fresh WTC cycle as a chance to do that, with names such as Konstas and Josh Inglis awaiting their turn.
“At the moment, he’d be disappointed with the returns, he’s missed out on big scores. We’re confident he can return to his best, hence why we keep picking him. It’s at what point do we stop picking him,” said the Aussie coach.
Meanwhile, Australia’s next Test assignment is a three-match away tour of the West Indies starting June 25 in Barbados which marks their inaugral series of a new 2025-27 WTC cycle.
Smith’s damaged finger may not rule him out of the entire West Indies tour, but the time-frame is very tight for the opening Test in Barbados. There is still every chance the selectors decide now’s the time to move Marnus Labuschagne aside (at least temporarily) but if they are missing 10,000 Test runs they need to fill that gap. Marnus Labuschagne does not look like a batter on the brink of ending a rut, but it wouldn’t be the first sliding-doors moment for him.
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