Justin Langer urges Australia to remain patient with 'very important link' Marnus Labuschagne
Justin Langer has urged Australia to stick with Marnus Labuschagne in the top order, warning the next generation could be set up to fail if he is dropped.
Labuschagne's spot has come under intense scrutiny following Australia's World Test Championship final loss, after he was moved up to open against South Africa.
Scores of 17 and 22 extended his century drought to almost 24 months. Labuschagne averaged just 27.82 in the two-year Test Championship window that concluded with the final.
Australia's coach Andrew McDonald continues to insist Labuschagne is a big part of the team's future, but he too has questioned at what point they stop picking the right-hander.
Langer was Australia's coach when he handed Labuschagne his Test debut in 2018, with the Queenslander rising to the top of the world batting rankings by the end of 2021.
Langer said it is vital Labuschagne remains in the team, given the top order are in the middle of a transition with Usman Khawaja aged 38 and Steve Smith 36.
"Marnus is a 50-Test player. He's been the best player in the world. He still averages (46.19)," he said.
"All players go through it. If you're not scoring runs, you're going to be under the spotlight.
"But all of a sudden David Warner leaves, and then Usman Khawaja leaves, and then Steve Smith.
"If Marnus isn't playing well, you've got a huge gap there because Travis Head bats down the order. So he's actually a very, very important link in this chain here.
"If I was the Australian team, I'd be focusing — and I'm sure they are — all their attention on getting Marnus to come good in however that is."
Labuschagne is expected to move back down to number three for Australia's looming Tests against West Indies, with Sam Konstas an option to open and Steve Smith in doubt.
Nathan McSweeney was also blooded last summer, while Australia's coaches have indicated they see Cameron Green as a top-order batter.
Australia has one eye on this summer's Ashes, with Josh Inglis also remaining in the squad after a century on debut in Sri Lanka earlier this year.
But Langer said it was crucial for the next generation that Labuschagne remained in the team alongside whatever young players come in.
"Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Matthew Hayden. They come in and they're around gun players.
"If you just all of a sudden bring a couple of kids in, Cameron Green's still young to the game, and you have to bring another kid in there (to replace Labuschagne).
"Sam Konstas, he played a few Tests, right? I think he's only got two first-class hundreds at the moment, and they were both in the same game.
"I say this with absolute respect, but these new guys coming in, they're not averaging 50 (in first-class cricket).
"These other guys coming through, you've got to be smacking the door down. You can't just bring them in an Ashes series."
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