With the World Test Championship (WTC) final just days away, Australia finds itself facing a crucial selection dilemma: What to do about Marnus Labuschagne? Once a dependable force at No. 3, Labuschagne’s recent struggles have sparked serious debate among experts and former players alike.
Labuschagne’s Slump: A Risk Australia Can’t Ignore?
Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has voiced his concerns about Labuschagne’s form and overall approach. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Finch didn’t mince words: “Marnus hasn’t scored the runs at No. 3, and the way that he’s been playing has probably been the concern for me.”
The numbers back up Finch’s assessment. In the ongoing WTC cycle, Labuschagne is averaging just 28.33, a significant drop compared to the consistent dominance he displayed in the years prior. While there have been flashes of brilliance — including a century at Old Trafford and a gritty 90 in Christchurch — they’ve been isolated moments rather than indicators of sustained form.
What’s more worrying is how he’s going about his innings. In the Perth Test against India, Labuschagne crawled to 2 off 52 balls, and followed it up with another sluggish 12 off 52 in Brisbane. These kinds of innings, according to Finch, are not just slow — they give world-class bowlers time to settle in and control the tempo.
“You can’t just allow the best bowlers in the world to bowl with a new ball at you over and over without forcing their hand a little bit,” Finch explained. “Wickets have been more bowler-friendly recently, so you simply can’t sit back and wait to score.”
Could Sam Konstas and Cam Green Herald a New Era?
The conversation has now shifted toward potential replacements and long-term planning. One name gaining traction is 20-year-old Sam Konstas, who turned heads with a fluent 60 off 65 balls against India at the MCG. His fearless approach earned praise from selectors and fans alike, with some even seeing him as a long-term solution at the top of the order following David Warner’s retirement.
Finch floated an interesting idea: “Beau Webster took his opportunity at No. 6, maybe Konstas comes back into the side to open the batting, and you throw Cam Green at No. 3. That way, you’re building a structure not just for this WTC Final, but for the next cycle too.”
Meanwhile, Steve Smith remains solid at No. 4, and Travis Head continues to impress with his aggressive style that puts immediate pressure on opposition bowlers.
“He puts pressure on the opposition before he’s even faced a ball,” Finch said of Head. “It’s like his game is built for that top-of-off ball. He hits different areas — the same delivery can go through backward point or wide mid-on. That makes bowlers second-guess and eventually start searching.”
In Conclusion: Australia’s top-order strategy may be on the brink of a significant shift. While Labuschagne has earned his place over years of hard work and big scores, the WTC Final demands form, intent, and the ability to shift momentum. With players like Konstas and Green ready to step up, the selectors may have a bold call to make — not just for this final, but for the future of Australian Test cricket.
