Usman Khawaja opposes Marnus Labuschagne’s opening gambit
The upcoming three-Test series between Pakistan and Australia will mark the end of David Warner’s illustrious Test match career. Warner, 37, announced over a year ago his intention to retire from the longest format of the game after the Sydney Test against Pakistan, which will be the third Test.
David Warner has played 109 Tests so far, scoring 8,487 runs at an average of 44.43, including 25 centuries and 36 half-centuries. However, Warner has not been in the best of form in the last couple of years, with an average in the twenties, inflated by his double-century against South Africa last summer. David Warner‘s retirement will leave a significant void in Australia’s batting line-up, as the openers in contention to replace him have struggled to cement their positions. Despite numerous opportunities, players like Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and Matt Renshaw have failed to consistently demonstrate the reliability and performance required for a Test opener role.
Last week, Australian coach Andrew McDonald hinted at the possibility of promoting Marnus Labuschagne to the opening slot in Test cricket following Warner’s retirement. This move would create a vacancy in the middle order for Cameron Green, who recently lost his place to Mitchell Marsh.
“He’s got opening-itis!”
Usman Khawaja, Australia’s incumbent Test opener, expressed his reservations about the proposed promotion of Labuschagne to the opening position, advocating for a specialist opener to fill the vacancy left by David Warner’s retirement. Khawaja emphasized the demanding nature of opening in Test cricket, requiring a unique skill set. “Have you asked Marnus this? I think he would give you a really clear, ‘hell no’. Marnus has got opening-itis,” Khawaja said.
