The defending champions Australia have made their second successive World Test Championship final, but one of their long-pending issue refuses to go away. Since the retirement of David Warner, Australia have been struggling to find an apt partner for Usman Khawaja with Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis all tried as openers in their last two series against India and Sri Lanka. And for the WTC final against South Africa starting Wednesday, Australia are set to open with Marnus Labuschagne, who is fighting hard to save his place in the squad.
With Cameron Green fit and available, Australia are keen to slot in the middle-order, forcing their No 3 Labuschagne to open the batting with Khawaja. And the unexpected move could well be Labuschagne’s best available opportunity to seal the spot in the squad, particularly because Konstas and Inglis are breathing down his neck.
“We’ve got six of the best batsmen in the country, plenty of times where I’d prefer to bat in other positions, but beggars can’t be choosers. So you just be humble that you’re playing for Australia and you take what you get and make the most out of it. It’s a team game and I know the best place to bat for the team is to open, so I’m very happy to open and do my thing. I’m sure if it’s the same for Marnus [and] he will 100 per cent take that role. An opener can get out first ball then you’re batting with number three anyway. So it’s not that big a deal,” Khawaja said.
Labuschagne will be Khawaja’s fifth opening partner in nine Tests after (now reinstated to number four), Nathan McSweeney, Konstas and Travis Head. “Opening has been a revolving door for a long time, but I think it just shows you how hard opening is,” Khawaja said. “It’s not an easy place to bat. Davey had a lot of opening partners, and I’ve had a few since Davey’s gone. It’s just a tough place to bat. Test cricket is the hardest cauldron there is, there’s nowhere to hide.”
Khawaja said Labuchagne’s experience of batting at No 3 should make the transition to open a lot easier. “When you bat three, I think the opening is an easier transition. The only time it’s hard is when you bat second. You have to run off and change [into] your pads. Usually when I was at three, I just put my feet up. You don’t get to do that anymore. That’s the biggest difference. But Marnus is a terrific player. If he gets an opportunity, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
