Beau Webster Backs Marnus Labuschagne To Shine As Opener For AUS In WTC Final
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Australia will face South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final, which is scheduled to take place at Lord's from June 11 to 15.
Seam-bowling all-rounder Beau Webster has expressed confidence in Marnus Labuschagne delivering his best if he's chosen to open for Australia in the upcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa, starting on June 11 at Lord's.
Labuschagne has only one Test century since the end of 2022 and, during his ongoing stint with county side Glamorgan, has averaged just nine from three innings so far. Australia also has teenage opener Sam Konstas in their ranks to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja.
'When he's at his best, he's unbelievable. His record speaks for itself. He's a hundred-maker and a game-winner. I'm sure going to the top (of the batting) wouldn't faze him too much. Whoever gets the nod for that final is going to be raring to go," Webster told The Sydney Morning Herald.
With Cameron Green returning as a specialist batter, Webster is in a direct competition with him for a spot in Australia's playing eleven in the coveted clash. 'He (Green) is a generational talent and a phenomenal cricketer. He's only going to get better. He's only 25, so he's got a lot of cricket ahead of him."
'I don't know what the make-up of the top six is going to look like or which way they're going to go with in terms of all-rounders, but I'm certainly hoping we can both be in there. I like testing myself with the Dukes ball in different conditions."
'Hopefully, I can keep putting my name in front of selectors and become hard to drop out of that XI. That's probably my main purpose in coming over, to keep my game ticking over," he elaborated.
Webster, who hit the winning runs on Test debut for Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, which Australia won by a 3-1 margin, signed off by calling that moment his most memorable cricketing memory.
'It was a bit of a whirlwind. It all went so quickly, and I do wish I had soaked it up a little bit more. To be out in the middle with Travis was something I will never forget. To this day, (hitting the winning runs) was my favorite cricketing moment, without a doubt. I'm very, very proud of what I've done. But it's only the start, and I'm looking to build on what I've started in the Baggy Green."
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