Marnus Labuschange set for 'final chance' in Test final as selectors face the heat

Yahoo

a day ago

Aussie cricket fans are suggesting this could be Marnus Labuschagne's last chance in the national side if he fails having been promoted up the order as the selectors gamble on another non-specialist opener. Australia will kick-start their World Test Championship final defence against South Africa with captain Pat Cummins confirming Labuschagne was included in the XI, at the expense of Sam Konstas.
Plenty has been made of Labuschagne's form heading into the final at Lord's with the Queenslander struggling for runs across the last two years. Labuschagne only averaged 25.36 with the bat across the summer, after disappointing Test series against India and Sri Lanka.
That came after an equally underwhelming previous year for Labuschagne, where he averaged just 27.08 across the summer of 2023/24. And the 30-year-old only managed scores of 23, 0 and 61 in his three Sheffield Shield innings for Queensland after those Test series.
To make matters worse, Labuschagne struggled to score in his brief County cricket appearance - ahead of the final in London - having scored 27 runs in three innings. Except the selectors opted to avoid opener snub Konstas and move Labuschagne up the order for the first time in his test career.
While it could prove to me a masterstroke with Labuschagne often enjoying his time at Lord's, it could also backfire on the Aussies. Labuschagne will be Usman Khawaja's fifth test opening partner since David Warner's retirement only 18 months ago.
The inability for the Aussie selectors to find an opener to partner Khawaja has taken a toll on the fans who are becoming increasingly frustrated. Nathan McSweeney was hard done by after being dropped ahead of the fourth test against India, despite Jasprit Bumrah producing a special performance in the series.
McSweeney was also a No.3 batter for South Australia, but was thrown up to opener for his test debut. While Konstas than came in for McSweeney and performed against Bumrah, he was then dropped for the Sri Lanka series with selectors opting for experience.
Travis Head was moved up, but he will shuffle back down at Lord's so both Cameron Green and Labuschagne can fit into the XI. And the selectors are potentially facing more pressure if Labuschagne isn't able to take advantage of a dry Lord's wicket. It's unlikely Labuschagne will open for the West Indies if he fails again in the baggy green, which would be another unusual selection that backfires on the selectors on the big stage.
No surprises but this is not a correct opening combination.This is the third time in more than a year, they are trying to make a non-opener as an opener.Both Steve Smith and McSweeney failed miserably going to open being a middle order batsman.Now, they are betting on… https://t.co/wZqJwPY3QV
— Classic Mojito (@classic_mojito) June 10, 2025
If Marnus Labuschagne fails in this WTC finals he should be dropped permanently from the test team and earn his way back through consistent run scoring in domestic cricket. At this point Australia are playing with 10 men with his inclusion.
— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) June 10, 2025
Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will be under scanner today . It will be a do or die for them to retain their place in the team for future
— AK 🇦🇺 (@AKMSDIAN7781) June 11, 2025
Congratulations South Africa. This is an awful decision by Australia's selectors.
— Bliss You Too (@blissyu2) June 11, 2025
The World Test Championship final should be the last chance for Marnus Labuschagne to prove he belongs in the team. No matter the position he gets to bat, it's a do or die for him.#WTCFinal
— Sports Enthusiast (@EnthstSp) June 9, 2025
Final chance for Marnus
— Kaustubh (@kaustubh_4579) June 10, 2025
Meanwhile, Smith is tipping spin to play a bigger part in the one-off test match than usual at Lord's. Quicks often dominate the Lord's pitch with the English rain and overcast conditions providing a lushes deck for movement.
However, following a break from cricket after the Sri Lanka test series, Smith said the dry weather could see cracks open up on the wicket and bring Nathan Lyon into the contest. 'I have had a good break, had a couple of months off, and had a first hit the other day, and it has clicked into place," Smith said ahead of the WTC final.
'It is a nice place to bat, I have had some success. It takes time to get used to the slope, but you get value for shots, especially hitting down the hill. It can be nice to hit on. It can be tricky when it moves around, batting here is about playing what is in front of you.
'Spin will play a big part as the game goes on as well. It is dry, there has not been too much rain, it does look dry, and I think spin will come into it.'