Australia has been very concerned about Marnus Labuschagne‘s form in recent years. Since 2021, the former No. 1 batsman in Test cricket has been averaging merely 31 in the game’s longest format. Australia wanted Cameron Green in the starting lineup, so he stepped up the batting order to begin alongside Usman Khawaja in last week’s World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa. But the seasoned right-hander was only able to muster 17 and 22 runs.
According to former Australia opener Justin Langer, benching the struggling batter will impede the growth of upcoming Test squad batsmen.
“Marnus Labuschagne is a player with 50 Tests. He has been the world’s top player.
His average is still 46.19. Every player experiences it. You’ll be the centre of attention if you’re not scoring runs. However, David Warner abruptly departs. Usman Khawaja then departs. Then Steve Smith. Because Travis Head bats lower in the order, you have a big hole there if Marnus isn’t playing well,” Langer told the Perth media.
He’s a really crucial link in this network, so to speak. “If I were the Australian team, I would be giving it my whole attention, and I’m sure they are,” the head coach of the Lucknow Super Giants continued.
In an Ashes series, you can’t just bring them in: Langer
Langer observed how seasoned cricket players have surrounded the younger players who have joined the Australian squad over the years. Michael Clarke, who made his Test debut in Bengaluru in 2004 with established players like Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, and Matthew Hayden already in the lineup, was used as an example.
“You consider the background of cricket in Australia. With absolute weapons surrounding them, the top young players enter. Damien Martyn, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, and Michael Clarke. They enter and are surrounded by gun owners,” Langer remarked.
Concerns regarding the potential of the young players joining the Australian team were also voiced by Langer. In first-class cricket, he claimed that young players like Sam Konstas are not averaging over fifty. According to the 54-year-old, selecting inexperienced children for significant tasks like the Ashes is not a smart idea.
“Cameron Green is still a young player if you suddenly bring in a few children. Additionally, you need to replace Labuschagne with another child. Did Sam Konstas play any Test matches? Right now, I believe he only has two first-class hundreds. Additionally, Langer saw that they were both playing the same game.
“With all due respect, I say this, but these new players aren’t averaging fifty (in first-class cricket). You must be knocking down the door with these other guys coming through. He came to the conclusion that “you can’t just bring them in an Ashes series.”
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