Australian cricket fans have received their clearest indication yet of how the national team's batting order will shape up for the upcoming Ashes series against England.
Batting Position Reveals Selectors' Thinking
Queensland captain Marnus Labuschagne has opted to remain at number three in the batting order during his side's Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia at the WACA, despite the absence of regular opener Usman Khawaja. This decision provides significant insight into the thinking of national selectors just days before the first Ashes Test begins in Perth on November 21.
The vacant opening position created by Khawaja's absence presented a golden opportunity for Labuschagne to gain valuable practice at the top of the order, should he have been required to open against England. However, his choice to maintain his familiar number three spot suggests confidence in other opening options.
Weatherald's Test Debut Appears Likely
In positive signs for Tasmanian batsman Jake Weatherald, Queensland brought in Angus Lovell as a specialist opener rather than promoting Labuschagne. This move indicates that selectors are leaning toward giving Weatherald his baggy green debut despite some recent concerns about his form.
Weatherald had sparked some anxiety among selectors when he was dismissed for 23 against South Australia on Monday, but Labuschagne's positioning suggests the experienced opener remains in strong contention for the crucial opening role.
The selection decision comes after a year of experimentation at the top of the Australian order following David Warner's retirement in early 2024. Khawaja has already had six different opening partners in that period, including Labuschagne during the unsuccessful World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord's. Weatherald would become the seventh if selected for his Test debut.
Solid Start at the WACA
On the field, Labuschagne looked steady during the first session at the WACA, with the greenish pitch offering few surprises to the batsmen. The going proved tough for Queensland after Western Australian skipper Sam Whiteman sent them into bat during his 100th Sheffield Shield appearance.
The visitors crawled to 1-77 at the lunch break, with Matt Renshaw showing strong intent to reach 48 not out at the interval. Renshaw, who missed selection for the first Ashes Test squad, remains in contention should Australia's top order struggle in the opening matches of the series.
The Queensland batsman's aggressive approach was evident when he hit a maximum in just the fifth over of the day, demonstrating the form that keeps him in the selectors' thinking as backup option for the Australian team.
