MITCHELL JOHNSON: Marnus Labuschagne should be dropped for Sam Konstas in World Test Championship final

West Australian

22-05-2025

As next month's World Test Championship final draws nearer, the Australian selectors face a series of crucial decisions about the batting line-up to take on South Africa at Lord's.
What is clear is that there will be huge change from Australia's last Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle in February, when a conditions-specific top six comprised Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Alex Carey and Josh Inglis, with extra batting depth at No.7 and No.8 with Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly.
As selectors weigh their options, the major challenge lies in determining where Cam Green fits into the batting line-up. With his impressive performances both in Tests and recently with two centuries in his county cricket comeback in recent weeks, he undoubtedly adds depth to the top order.
Having not played a Test match since March 2024, Green's recent form for Gloucestershire is encouraging and his timing couldn't be better.
So who among established players misses out? Ultimately, it will come down to recent form and the balance of the side.
The key decision is who opens with Khawaja and once that call is made, the rest of the batting order should fall into place.
Given Smith's established success at No.4, it's best to keep him there. This leads to the discussion of whether Green should take up the opener role or come in at No.3.
There has been plenty of talk about promoting Labuschagne to open to allow Green to come in at first drop. I would instead be bold and recall Sam Konstas and leave out Labuschagne altogether.
The WTC final is a huge occasion and Konstas will be confronting a quality seam attack. But the 19-year-old showed on his Boxing Day debut against India last summer that he has the ability to disrupt a top-class bowling attack.
The selectors certainly have some tough decisions ahead, weighing the balance of experience and fresh talent to finalise the batting line-up.
Konstas is a risk when he has no experience in English conditions, while Labuschagne has plenty of experience, but he hasn't really got the runs on the board over the past couple of years.
Getting the order right is tough for Australia at a time they are a team in transition but have a one-off Test final to win.
I would go with Khawaja and Konstas to open, followed by Green, Smith, Head and Webster. That leaves Labuschagne as the unlucky man to miss out, along with Inglis who is also in the 15-man squad.With Green not able to contribute with the ball at the moment as he comes back from back surgery, it raises the question of whether Australia needs an all-rounder at No.6.
While it is possible they could get away with three quicks and a spinner, complemented by Head's off-spin, for a one-off match, Webster has done well so far and looms as the better option.
Webster's strong batting skills combined with his capability as a bowler provide flexibility and he could excel in English conditions. The nagging line and length of his seamers, along with his height, would likely pose challenges for the South African batters.
Australia having so many options for the batting line-up is definitely a positive sign. It indicates that players are in good form and pushing for selection, which is essential for a team's success.
Tough selection decisions often mean that there is healthy competition among players, and that can only benefit the squad as a whole going forward.
It creates an environment where everyone is pushed to perform at their best, and ultimately, that can lead to a stronger top order when it counts.
The selectors will have their work cut out for them, but it's a luxury to have such talent to choose from.