Usman Khawaja, the opener for Australia, dismissed rumors that Marnus Labuschagne would replace David Warner as his opening partner in Test cricket.
The Australian home series against Pakistan, which starts on December 14, will mark the final red-ball cricket match featuring the productive opening combination of Warner and Khawaja. The former stated earlier this year that he would be retiring from the longest format of the game for Australia after the third and final Test in Sydney.
Many people have been wondering who would replace Warner in the vacancy position after he retires. Some people believe that Marnus Labuschagne, who has established himself as a top batsman, should bat higher in order to make room for all-rounder Cameron Green in the starting lineup. In a recent interview, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald mentioned the concept as well. Khawaja, however, believes that Warner should be replaced with a specialist opener due to the role’s difficulties.
Have you asked this to Marnus? I believe he would say “hell no” to you quite clearly.”Marnus has an opening syndrome. Davey Warner hurt his arm, I believe, so he sent Alex Carey out to open. That seems like a long shot to me. It’s difficult to open. It’s demanding labor. I have batted for Australia at [No.] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, so I can tell you that. According to ESPNcricinfo, Khawaja said, “I’m telling you, by far, opening is the hardest and it’s very hard to bring someone who hasn’t opened.”
“I’m sure Marnus would perform admirably if you started him there at the beginning. Would he perform as well as No. 3 as an opener, though? I’m not certain. Given that Steve Smith typically averages 60 [58.61] and he’s averaging 55 [56.81] at three, I wouldn’t want to take the chance. Thus, you wouldn’t want to tamper with it much. “I’m always a little hesitant to not let people who haven’t opened much in the past open the batting because opening can be an extremely difficult thing to do mentally more than physically,” he continued.
Ironically, Khawaja began his Test career as a No. 3 batsman and made his opening debut against South Africa in a day-night Test in 2016, when Warner was unable to return to the field due to extended rest periods. The man from Islamabad made an immediate impression by scoring a brilliant century. Prior to that knock, Khawaja had opened on fifteen occasions in first-class cricket but had not yet made a half-century. But seven years later, he is still among the best openers in modern red-ball cricket.
Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris, and Cameron Bancroft are the three players that I believe are deserving of the opening bat spot: Usman Khawaja
After Warner bids adieu to Test cricket, Khawaja feels that one of the three specialist openers—Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris, and Cameron Bancroft—should bat with him at the top. The southpaw supported the selectors to make the decision, declining to choose his favorite opening partner among the three.
In any case, even if they inquired, it wouldn’t matter. Choose the one you believe is the best, I would advise them. To be honest, I don’t want to talk about it. I believe a lot of factors are involved. I don’t have access to watch all of these players bat. To be honest, it probably doesn’t matter even if I did believe one was superior to the other because the differences are so tiny. All three of the players who are vying to lead off the batting deserve it, in my opinion. I think it’s really simple to just step back and tell them to pick anyone they want,” Labuschagne said.
Australia and Pakistan will play their first Test match in Perth on Thursday, December 14.
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