Australia could be on the verge of a major top-order shake-up for next month’s World Test Championship final against South Africa, with Marnus Labuschagne reportedly being considered for a shock elevation to opener at Lord’s.
The move, if confirmed, would see Labuschagne partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, displacing teenage sensation Sam Konstas from the starting XI and allowing Cameron Green to return to the side following injury. Cricket Australia is expected to announce its 15-player squad for the WTC final in the coming days, and Labuschagne’s name has surged to the forefront of internal discussions.
From No. 3 to opening: a strategic shift
Labuschagne has never opened in a Test, but the selectors are reportedly leaning toward the 29-year-old Queenslander to fill the void left by David Warner’s retirement in early 2024. His name has floated as a potential solution since Warner’s departure, and with Australia rotating through four different partners for Khawaja in the interim, consistency at the top remains elusive.
“I will bat wherever they tell me to bat. Currently I would say that how I have played at No. 3 has been relatively successful,” Labuschagne said in October 2024. “If (selectors) think I should move and that is best for the team, that is what will happen.”
Konstas squeezed out, Green back in
Labuschagne’s potential move comes at a cost: 19-year-old Konstas, who dazzled on Boxing Day against India but failed to reach triple figures in his next 11 first-class innings, is likely to miss the WTC final. His early flash of brilliance, including a gutsy half-century against Jasprit Bumrah, briefly made him the frontrunner for the role, but the selectors now appear to favour experience.
Bringing Labuschagne up the order would also open space for Cameron Green, who missed the home summer due to a back injury but remains a key long-term asset in Australia’s red-ball plans.
Gilchrist backs Labuschagne’s move
Former Test wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, speaking earlier this year, endorsed Labuschagne’s value to the national side even amid a dip in output.
“They obviously put a lot of value on (Labuschagne) being in the team and he played a couple of really reliable knocks in the summer without being back up to the lofty standards he set over the last few years,” Gilchrist said.
“I think they put a high importance on Marnus’ presence in the team so he could be one of a number of options they look at at the top of the order.”
Labuschagne has scored 935 runs at an average of 28.33 in the current WTC cycle, with one century — a hard-fought 111 during the 2023 Ashes. While his overall output has drawn scrutiny, the selectors appear to be betting on his temperament and technique to handle the new ball in a high-stakes setting.
Opening roulette since Warner’s exit
If selected to open, Labuschagne would become the fifth player to fill the role since Warner’s retirement. Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, and even Travis Head have each been trialled with limited success. The instability is reflected in their numbers:
- 39.22 – Usman Khawaja
- 32.66 – Travis Head
- 28.50 – Steve Smith
- 28.25 – Sam Konstas
- 14.40 – Nathan McSweeney
Labuschagne, meanwhile, has a recent taste of life at the top. In 2023, he opened for Glamorgan in county cricket and notched a commanding 111 against Middlesex, showcasing his capacity to adapt in red-ball conditions.
Final tune-up in county cricket
Ahead of the WTC final, Labuschagne is scheduled to play two matches for Glamorgan in late May — a final proving ground before potentially taking on South Africa’s fearsome attack at Lord’s. It also marks a return to cricket after a brief family break, with Labuschagne recently welcoming his second child.
While the selectors have not yet confirmed the new-look lineup, all signs point to a calculated gamble — one that could redefine Labuschagne’s role in Australian Test cricket and bring stability to a top order still searching for post-Warner identity.
