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Usman Khawaja Doesn't Want To Open With Labuschagne After Warner's Retirement

image-lpt9c8lqMarnus Labuschagne has been Australia's trusted No.3 (Twitter)

Usman Khawaja posed a rational outlook when confronted with the suggestion of Australia approaching the life after David Warner with No.3 Marnus Labuschagne moving up one slot and opening the innings against West Indies. 

The veteran opener brought his experience into play and brushed aside thoughts of Labuschagne replacing Warner, who is about to call it quits in the format at the end of the coming three-match Test series versus Pakistan. 

Australia are due to play West Indies for two Tests later in the summer before digging deeper into their 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. A suggestion had done the rounds to see if Labuschagne could hold his own at the top alongside Khawaja once Warner hangs his boots as the Aussies struggle to find viable, long-term options on the domestic front. 

Notably, Labuschagne has been Australia's dependable No.3 since his accidental debut at Lord's as the great Steve Smith's concussion substitute back in 2019 Ashes. The 29-year-old is since averaging 53.36 over 43 Tests and 76 innings for his 3,789 runs, including 11 centuries. 


Khawaja Not Keen On Labuschagne Opening In Tests 

Historically, it was modern-day legend Smith who batted No.3 until Labuschagne's rise into a prominent force in the Test match line-up compelled the team management to ask their best batter to move slot below and continue piling on the runs. 

Khawaja said people should first ask Labuschagne if he is interested in opening the batting himself and he expects the answer to be a "hell no". Labuschagne has never opened the batting for Australia before and is unlikely to be shuffled around from his successful post. 

"Have you asked Marnus this? I think he would give you a really clear, 'hell no'. Marnus has got opening - it is...I think that is a long shot," Khawaja was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

The left-hander, who has been in tremendous form since his comeback in early 2022, brought his own experience into play to insist opening is an extremely tough ask. 

"Opening can be a very, very tough thing to do mentally more than physically so I'm always a bit shy of not letting people who haven't opened much in the past open the batting," he added.