Cricket great Greg Chappell has made a powerful intervention in the Australian team's selection debate, publicly urging them to choose a specialist opener for the upcoming Ashes series instead of repositioning star batsman Marnus Labuschagne.
The Opening Conundrum
The selection headache comes as Australia weighs its options following Labuschagne's return to the squad. The Queensland batsman, who was dropped for the West Indies tour after the World Test Championship defeat to South Africa, is a certainty to return after a stellar start to the domestic summer.
The central question is where he will bat. Selectors are considering whether to keep allrounder Cameron Green at No.3 and have Labuschagne open alongside veteran Usman Khawaja, a pairing that worked successfully in the World Test Championship final in June.
However, Chappell, a former Australian captain with 87 Tests to his name, strongly disagrees with this approach. "Opening's an important role and specialists generally have done better than people that have been press-ganged into the role," Chappell stated on Tuesday.
Chappell's Specialist Argument
The cricket legend emphasised that opening requires a particular mindset that not all batsmen possess. "Opening is a role that you need to want to do," he explained. "Most openers are pretty passionate about getting in there and batting first."
Chappell also dismissed the common argument that a No.3 batter often faces the new ball anyway, making the transition to opener relatively seamless. He pointed to batting greats like his older brother Ian and Ricky Ponting, suggesting they wouldn't have been as successful had they been forced to open the innings.
Meanwhile, Jake Weatherald is making a strong case for a Test debut in Perth. The Tasmanian opener has enjoyed a hot 18 months in the Sheffield Shield, impressing with his dashing style at the top of the order.
Concerns Over Ageing Team
Chappell also voiced concerns about the age profile of the Australian Test team, noting that Cameron Green is the only member of the Ashes squad aged under 30. Even potential debutant Weatherald recently turned 31.
The former captain highlighted the importance of introducing young talent at the right time, pointing to Travis Head as a success story of a player given an early opportunity who has now flourished into a three-format star.
"If you've got guys knocking the door down, then it's not so hard," Chappell said regarding Australia's transition to the next generation. He acknowledged that domestic cricket has been "populated by a lot of older, experienced players" in recent years but sees positive change ahead.
"We're seeing a bit of change on that front, and I think it's quite exciting with some of the young talent that's playing Sheffield Shield at the moment," Chappell added. "We might be looking forward to another really good era coming up."
Chappell was speaking in Melbourne with England legend Ian Botham to promote the 150th anniversary Test that will be held at the MCG in March 2027. The historic match will be a day-night spectacle, with a ticket ballot to be launched for the first time in Australian cricket.
