Marnus Labuschagne should move from first drop to opening the batting in the first Ashes Test so Australia have a better distribution of right-handers and left-handers in combatting Stuart Broad, says legendary wicketkeeper Ian Healy.
Victoria coach Chris Rogers has revealed that Will Pucovski, a right-handed batter trying to overcome the symptoms resulting from a 10th concussion, is “unlikely” to play in the first Ashes Test.
That means that two left-handers – incumbent opener Marcus Harris and veteran Usman Khawaja – are likely in a two-man race to join the left-handed David Warner at the top of the order.
If that’s the case, fresh in Australia’s mind will be the havoc wreaked on left-handers during the 2019 Ashes tour, which saw Broad torment Warner and Harris bowling around the wicket. The right-arm speedster dismissed Warner seven times in 10 innings and Harris on three occasions in six innings.
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Healy has cautioned Australia’s selectors against setting themselves up for the same trap, as they look to shape an XI for the Brisbane Test set to begin on December 8.
“I think Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head are capable of playing more successfully than they have at (Test level),” Healy said on SEN radio.
“Australia’s problem here is left-handers. We’ve got so many left-handers if they all make the side.
“One of Harris or Khawaja makes the opening spot and Travis Head bats at five.
“We’ve already got Warner in there.
“Stuart Broad loves bowling around the wicket to left-handers and we’ve got three or four we’re lining up for him. I think we have to be careful there.”
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Healy then threw up his left-field idea of opening with Labuschagne, who’s predominantly batted at No.3 over his 18-Test career and has thrived in the role, averaging 60.8 and scoring five tons, including a double century.
“I might even think of opening (with) Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne and Warner, then Khawaja, then (Steve) Smith… Head five and (Cameron) Green six,” Healy said.
“I think we need to make better use of right-handers against Broad.
“We’ve got to be careful there, and our lefties have to be good if they do get in the team.”
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Australia will be aiming to retain the Ashes urn, having regained it at home over the 2017-18 summer before defending their triumph on the 2019 tour of England.