Why Labuschagne won’t give Khawaja advice amid scrutiny
Jasper Bruce |
He’s the most recent Australian to overcome the kind of scrutiny facing Usman Khawaja but Marnus Labuschagne won’t offer the veteran opener any words of wisdom as his Test future hangs in the balance.
Nor could Labuschagne agree Khawaja should be able to determine when his storied career in the baggy green comes to a close, as previous opener David Warner did two home summers ago.
Khawaja retained his place in the extended squad for the second Ashes Test but is no guarantee to open the batting at the Gabba from Thursday after Travis Head’s masterclass at the top in Perth.
Khawaja’s fitness has also been a point of concern after back spasms forced him from the field in the victorious first Test, meaning he could not open as planned.
The 38-year-old nicked off for two in his only dig in Perth to continue a lean run of form that has yielded only one score above 100 since June 2023 – in subcontinental conditions.
Khawaja cut a relaxed figure at Australia’s optional training session on Monday afternoon, stretching out his troublesome back with team staff and completing some light running work.
But he is undoubtedly the batter under the most pressure, an ignominious title Labuschagne had held prior to his recall for the first Ashes Test.
Unlike Labuschagne, though, an axing from the Test team would likely end Khawaja’s career given he turns 39 midway through the third Test.
“I don’t think he needs advice, he’s 38, he’s been around the block a long time,” Labuschagne said.
“He’s an amazing player and the way he’s gone about his game, the way he’s gone from a No.3, 4 and then opened the batting and the way he’s done that, navigated some tricky scenarios.
“He’s just been awesome.”
Even if he retains his spot in Brisbane, discussion about Khawaja’s future is unlikely to disappear given his age.
On tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year, Khawaja said playing the Ashes was a “bare minimum” in terms of his future goals.
An Ashes swansong on his home deck at the SCG appears a natural finishing point if desired, with childhood friend Warner bowing out in similar fashion in early 2024.
But Labuschagne stopped short of saying players should be able to dictate terms as to when they will finish their careers.
“I think the most important thing is the team comes first at any stage,” he said.
“Taking nothing away and he’s an amazing player, he’s been an amazing player, 85 Tests averaging 45 (43.56) for Australia all around the world, the way he’s played, he’s amazing.
“But that’s not up to me (whether he should decide when he gets to finish) and it’s not up to any of us.”
Labuschagne forced his way back into the team with domestic runs to start this summer and scored an unbeaten half-century during the series opener in his first Test knock back at his customary No.3 spot.
“I took personally a lot away from that,” he said.
“It’s all good to have done the work prior to the Test and the runs you scored but overall they don’t mean anything until you score runs and you get yourself back into some runs in Test cricket.”
“To be able to go out there and finish the game off, build that partnership with ‘Trav’ and be able to play some really free-flowing cricket was really exciting.”
AAP
