Axed Test batter Marnus Labuschagne is being backed to regain his place in the Australian team and find his groove at the top level again.
The right-hander has been dumped from the team for the first time in six years following 30 matches without scoring a century.
It’s been a slow and painful demise for the Queenslander who once averaged above 70 in the baggy green and was rated the world’s best Test batter in 2021.
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His Test average is still an impressive 46.19 from 58 matches – figures any batter would be happy with – but he has scored one century in two and a half years, and averaged a measly 31.00 in that period.
Labuschagne was elevated to opener for the World Test Championship final last week and while he made a couple of starts, his inability to put any pressure back on the South African bowlers left many pundits unimpressed.
Marnus Labuschagne of Australia. Getty
Steve Smith is also out of the first Windies Test after suffering a gruesome compound fracture to his finger in the WTC final. Teen tyro Sam Konstas looks set to open alongside Usman Khawaja, and Josh Inglis has been recalled to the middle order.
Labuschagne is about to turn 31 and as veteran opener Khawaja himself proved, it is not out of the question to be recalled in your mid-30s and perform well at Test level.
“Maybe I am biased, I played a lot of cricket with Marnus, I’ve seen the very best of him, and for me he is one of the best players in the country,” former Test captain Tim Paine said on SEN radio on Friday.
“Albeit he is a bit out of form at the moment, so maybe this is the right decision.
“We know the huge talent in Sam Konstas and what he can potentially bring to that team… exciting for those two (Konstas and Josh Inglis) but disappointing for Marnus.
“I wouldn’t be writing him off, I still think he’s a huge key to Australia being successful in the Ashes. He’s a world class player so I expect him to bounce back to form at some stage and get back in the team.”
Labuschagne was a shock inclusion in Justin Langer’s team in 2018 given his first class average was a measly 33 when he made his Test debut.
But he quickly silenced any doubters and became one of Australia’s – and the world’s – best performers over the ensuing few years.
English cricket legend Michael Vaughan believes Labuschagne can get back to the top.
“Marnus might just need a breather,” Vaughan told Fox Cricket.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing in someone’s career when they get taken out of the side for two or three games. It shouldn’t be seen as the end of your career and you’re never going to get a slot back.
“Sometimes a player needs to be taken out of the firing line. Maybe it’s that time when Marnus just needs a little bit of a breather. He can step back and work it out away from the glaring eyes.”
Inglis made a century in Galle on his Test debut earlier this year, while Konstas lit up the MCG on Boxing Day against India.
Sam Konstas and Pat Cummins celebrate at the MCG. Getty
“We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers,” Australian selection chief George Bailey told media on Friday.
“In his only opportunity in Test cricket to date, Josh was outstanding in Sri Lanka, showing great intent and ability to put pressure on the opposition.
“Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn’t been at the level we, or he, expects.
“We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively.”
Smith is expected to be fit for the second match against the West Indies but Australia may take the opportunity to get games into Konstas and Inglis in order to blood them for future selection.
Smith and Khawaja are nearing the end of their careers and the Test team is on the cusp of regeneration.
