Pat Cummins Reasons Behind Making Marnus Labuschagne Open In WTC Final: "One Spot Up..."
Australia captain Pat Cummins has backed Marnus Labuschagne to open the innings in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord's, a decision that marks a key shift in the team's top-order strategy. Cummins has selected Labuschagne to open the innings alongside Usman Khawaja, hoping the 30-year-old can be a long-term solution to the spot that has seen quite a few batters attempt to replace David Warner. Labuschagne, who has never opened in Test cricket, has just one Test century to his name since the end of 2022 and failed to make much of an impression in two matches for the County side Glamorgan earlier this month.
"I think Cam Green, the last few weeks he's had, is coming back in great form, we thought he deserves a spot somewhere in the batting line-up. We thought three probably suited him best. And then, you know, with Marnus moving, we thought it's, you know, one spot up really. It's not too different from batting at three. He's done well here in England in the past. You know, all the boys have trained well. He, Sam ( Konstas), and Josh Inglis have all trained really well. But I thought the selectors went with Marnus's experience, (not only) here at Lord's, but in England in general," Cummins told reporters in London on Tuesday.
The skipper further explained that while opening in English conditions presents unique challenges, it can also offer early scoring opportunities, especially before the Dukes ball starts to swing significantly. 'Opening the batting can be tough, but it can also be the best time to bat. There's an opportunity to score there,' he said.
Labuschagne, the former World No.1 Test batter, will walk out alongside Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, with Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Beau Webster forming a solid middle order.
Green returns to the Test side after recovering from back surgery, while Webster retains his spot to offer valuable all-round support, including part-time medium pace and spin.
In the bowling department, Josh Hazlewood has been preferred over Scott Boland, a decision Cummins said was one of the toughest to make. 'There are some guys where you generally say you've done nothing wrong, don't change a thing, and that's Scott. He's just really unfortunate to miss out,' Cummins said, assuring that Boland remains an integral part of the setup going forward.
Teenager Sam Konstas, who was in contention for a batting spot, has also been left out. But Cummins emphasised that the 19-year-old remains very much in Australia's long-term plans. 'Realistically, he's really young, he's got a long career ahead of him. Even by not playing, we hope to show him there are learning opportunities.'
Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
12 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Kagiso Rabada accepts responsibility for doping ban over alleged cocaine use, says ‘I didn't try to…'
Kagiso Rabada was in dominant form during Day 1 of the ongoing WTC final between South Africa and Australia. The pacer took fiv wickets with figures of 5/51 in 15.4 overs as the Proteas bundled out the Aussies for 212. After Day 1, Rabada was asked if he had any extra motivation for the ongoing WTC final, as he also recently survived a doping ban. 'Yeah, obviously it wasn't my best moment, as I've alluded to. Now, life moves on. I think every game that I play for South Africa, I try to do my best. I didn't try to give any more or any less effort than I usually do in all the games that I play for South Africa. So that's all I tried to do today,' Rabada said. Rabada had to leave the GT squad after only two IPL 2025 matches, and left for South Africa, citing personal reasons. But then to the shock of fans, he later revealed that he was serving a one-month ban due to alleged cocaine use. The doping test took place when Rabada was participating at the SA20. Meanwhile, he also accepted the short suspension and didn't reject it. In a press conference, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said, 'It's definitely a motivation. It's been a couple of weeks now that everything has unfolded.' 'He had a conversation with the team and put himself on the spot for further questioning from any of the players. As far as we are concerned, that's kind of behind us, we really come here with the focus of what we need to do. 'And I think he's in the best shape that he's ever been. Playing against the Australians as well, that'll be extra motivation for him. I think he's in a very good space,' he added.
Indian Express
26 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘We know where we want to get to as a Test team': England coach Brendon McCullum ahead of India series
England coach Brendon McCullum said that even though India have arrived to take on England with full preparation and belief, the Three Lions team is clear on what they have to achieve in the upcoming 5-Test showdown. The series, set to start from June 20, will kick off India's new World Test Championship cycle. 'They're an outstanding cricketing nation, who will come here with high hopes, and we are looking forward to seeing them. It's important the guys refresh. We know where we want to get to as a Test team,' McCullum told 'Sky Sports Cricket'. England have just completed a whitewash of the West Indies in a six-match white-ball series. Their focus now shifts to the red-ball format as they gear up to take India and also prepare for the Ashes later this year. They will be without tearaway pacer Mark Wood, who has been ruled out of at least the first three Tests due to injury while fellow quick Jofra Archer will also miss the opening Test. 'There are some quality bowlers that are unavailable, but we have a nice, varied bowling attack with Chris Woakes, Sam Cook, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue for the high-pace element. We have Shoaib Bashir, who is growing in Test cricket every day. We know we are going to be tested against India, and they will arrive prepared,' McCullum said. England all-rounder Jacob Bathel has been recalled and McCullum was all praise for the 21-year-old. 'Bethell has a good life in front of him. For a 21-year-old, he's got a real poise, and that allows him to go out there and be present and show off his flair and talent,' McCullum said. 'The world is his oyster. He's already becoming a leader in the dressing room which is what you want,' he added. McCullum also mentioned Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett as the talents to look forward to. 'Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett have reminded me of Duckett and Zak Crawley in the Test game. We know how good Duckett is, but the power that Smith possesses is amazing. 'These guys are fearless, and if you add the craft, then you hope you end up with a rounded player. (With agency inputs)
India Today
26 minutes ago
- India Today
Steve Smith left 'surprised' by South Africa's DRS blunder against Beau Webster
Star Australia batter Steve Smith said that he was left surprised by South Africa's DRS blunder against Beau Webster on Day 1 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final on Wednesday, June 11 at Lord's, London. After opting to bowl first under overcast conditions, South Africa had Australia under pressure having taken four wickets in the first Proteas had the opportunity to send half the Australian side back into the pavilion under 100 runs, but a DRS blunder cost them dearly. During the second session of the day, Kagiso Rabada bowled a sharp in-swinger which hit Webster on his pad. Since the Australia batter had his bat close to the ball, the entire South African side felt that he hit the ball and hence had a muted on-field umpire also wasn't convinced and shook his head to signal not out. South Africa also didn't opt for DRS, and much to their dismay, the replays showed that there was no inside edge and the ball would've gone on to hit the stumps. After the end of the day's play, Steve Smith revealed what transpired on the pitch during the appeal as he was at the non-striker's end. The Australia batter said Rabada felt that Webster might've hit it and he was also left surprised by the Proteas' half-hearted appeal.'I heard it was out, is that right? Yeah - It looked pretty good to me from the other end. I don't know what actually happened there. I know Beau was in a little bit of pain. I don't think it actually hit his pad, I think it just hit his leg. Someone said they saw a Rabada shape to say he might have hit it. Certainly, didn't look like that from my view, but yeah I was surprised they didn't appeal more. I don't think many people really went up, to be honest. Where I was, I was like, geez, that looks pretty good. But they had a chance to use a referral and didn't,' said Smith in the press conference at the end of the day's the time of the incident, Webster was on 8 with Australia at 94/4. The all-rounder went on to play a brilliant innings of 72 (92) with the help of 11 fours and added 79 runs for the fifth wicket with Smith to rescue his team. Australia eventually went on to score 212 in the first innings and made early inroads in South Africa's batting late on Day 1 leaving them reeling at 43/4 at stumps.
