Marnus looking likely as opener...
Khawaja backs Labuschagne to come good as Australia's Test opener
Australia's selectors will likely opt for Labuschagne's experience over dropping him in favour of 19-year-old Sam Konstas
Opening the batting may not be
Marnus Labuschagne's preferred option, but
Usman Khawaja has said that sometimes players need to take a role that is best for the team rather than the individual and backed him to make a success of it should that be the selectors' call at Lord's.
Labuschagne is firming as the likely option to walk out alongside Khawaja in the
World Test Championship final as
Australia juggle their batting order. When it was suggested last year that Labuschagne could be an option at the top of the order after David Warner's retirement, Khawaja said he had
"opening-itis" and on Monday joked again that he wasn't really over it.
However, it appears the selectors will opt for Labuschagne's experience and Test record - which includes 11 centuries - over dropping him in favour of 19-year-old
Sam Konstas, who was handed a debut against India when Australia wanted someone to take the game on. Should that transpire, it shapes as a key moment as Labuschagne fights to secure his Test spot with the selectors keen to settle down an opening combination ahead of the Ashes later this year.
"You don't always get to choose in Australia. You've got six of the best batsmen in the country," Khawaja said while promoting Prime Video who will broadcast the final in Australia. "Like I've said in the past, there are plenty of times where I prefer to bat in other positions. But beggars can't be choosers. You just have to be humble that you're playing for Australia."
Labuschagne has previously opened 15 times in first-class cricket although only once since 2016, but as a regular No.3 knows there is a chance he could be in for the second ball of an innings.
"You take what you get and you make the best out of it. At the end of the day, it's a team game," said Khawaja, who moved permanently into the opening role in early 2022 after returning to the side with twin hundreds against England at No. 5. "The best place for me to bat for the team is to open. So I'm very happy to open and do my role for the team. I'm sure if it's the same for Marnus, I'm 100%. I know he'll take that role.
"[When] you bat three, I think the opening is an easier transition. The only time it's hard is when you bat second. You have to run off and change [into] your pads. Usually when I was at three, I just put my feet up. You don't get to do that anymore. That's the biggest difference. But Marnus is a terrific player. If he gets an opportunity, I'm sure he'll be fine."
