Marnus Labuschagne endorsed Steven Smith to open with Usman Khawaja in the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Due to David Warner’s retirement from the longest format, there is currently a void that several cricket players are vying for. Although Steve Smith and Cameron Green have just entered the race, Warner was initially predicted to be replaced in the playing XI by Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris, or Cameron Bancroft.
Labuschagne expressed his thoughts once more and supported Smith’s ability to perform well as an opener ahead of the forthcoming Test series against the West Indies. He also mentioned that Green is capable of batting at number four, having performed admirably for Western Australia in that role.
“I am confident that Steve will perform admirably if he is given the go-ahead to open. Amazingly, Cameron Green holds the fourth-best record for Western Australia. ESPNcricinfo cited Labuschagne as saying, “That obviously has no bearing on Test cricket, but you can be pretty sure that in time he will develop into a very good player at that position.”
Smith is eager to take on a new task. That’s a huge triumph, in my opinion, if it inspires him and keeps the cricket world happy for another two or three years.
Everything about it seems ideal. I know he preferred a bit more time to be in the field before going out there when he was captain, but he is ready to go out there right now,” the 29-year-old remarked.
At position four, Labuschagne supported Green.
At number four, Labuschagne thinks that Green’s adaptability will be ideal for Australia. He praised the character of the 24-year-old all-round player and said that he had excellent defense and technique.
He makes excellent decisions, has a really pleasant, even temperament, strong technique, and is a terrific defender. He can also take a lot of pressure. I believe that adaptability—the ability to play a variety of situations and the judgment to know when to press the button and when to hold back—is what you need at No. 4, according to Labuschagne.