Australia National Cricket Team head coach Andrew McDonald has provided backing to the veteran opening batsman Usman Khawaja and guaranteed him a place in the Test playing XI for the next Ashes series.
The head coach, however, has not done the same thing with the former World No.1 batsman Marnus Labuschagne, and the batter is nearing the axing after his below-par returns with the bat for an extended period.
Also Read: Kevin Pietersen declares Aiden Markram's WTC Final knock the 'best innings by a South African in history'
Australia fielded a new opening pair in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Final against South Africa at the Lord's with Usman Khawaja opening the innings with Marnus Labuschagne.
This route was taken by the Aussies because they wanted to accommodate Cameron Green in the playing XI, and the all-rounder was handed the No.3 spot with Marnus Labuschagne moving up to open the innings.
In the first innings of the WTC Final, Usman Khawaja bagged a 20-ball duck and Marnus Labuschagne fell for 56-ball 17. In the second innings, Usman Khawaja got out after scoring 6 runs off 23 balls, and Marnus Labuschagne registered 22 runs off 64 balls. Kagiso Rabada dismissed Usman Khawaja in both innings, while Marco Jansen cleaned up Marnus Labuschagne in the match.
Although Khawaja looked miserable in the WTC Final, he, overall, had good runs in WTC 2023-25, finishing as Australia's top run-getter with 1428 runs at an average of 39.66, while Marnus Labuschagne was horrible as he scored just 974 runs at an average of 27.82.
Most players across their journey get dropped at some point in time - Andrew McDonald
Speaking after the WTC Final loss, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said that Marnus Labuschagne works pretty hard on his game, but his recent performances with the bat have left him and the team management disappointed.
He added that the selectors and team management believe Marnus Labuschagne can be a key member of the Test team going forward for the next 4-5 years, but they have to decide when the right time is to drop him.
"He's a big part of the future of the team. Anyone that averages 45, 46 in Test cricket at that age is important. We've got older players there that are closer to the end than the start. We've got some younger players that are coming in," Andrew McDonald said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
"If he can get his game in good order for the next four or five years, he can underpin that batting order. But at the moment, he'd be disappointed with the returns. He's missed out on big scores. But we're confident that he could return to his best and hence why we keep picking him. And at what point do we stop picking him?
"I think most players across their journey get dropped at some point in time. I think he had a positive week here where he worked on the right things and had a great prep. There's no harder worker than Marnus. Now it's really just about the returns. And at the moment, as I said, he'd be disappointed."
Andrew McDonald confirms 'David Warner treatment' for Usman Khawaja
The remarks made by Andrew McDonald on Marnus Labuschagne were a clear hint that the selectors might be planning to drop him from the team in the upcoming three-match Test series against West Indies.
But Usman Khawaja has escaped axing as he has received support from the head coach. Andrew McDonald said that Usman Khawaja remains a crucial part of the Test XI and he will not be judged a lot based on a couple of failures in the WTC Final.
He added that Usman Khawaja will be getting the same treatment selectors gave to his former opening partner David Warner, who was provided with a lot of backing during the latter stages of his career when questions were raised over his place.
"He's on contract, he's an important player. He gives us stability at his best at the top. And we like to look at our players at their best," he said.
"No doubt, a couple of failures here and people then start to talk about maybe it's the end. I don't see an end date with the way he's training, the way he's preparing, the way he's moving. He went back to Shield cricket, got 100 last [season]. So I think he's got plenty of runs left in him. It'll come down to his inner drive and the way he prepares," he added.
"It was a bit the same with Davey as well. The way he moved, we saw some positives in that. We knew that the runs were around the corner. We feel as though Usman's got a big part to play."
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Marnus Labuschagne left to rot as Andrew McDonald protects Usman Khawaja from axing after WTC Final )
Also on site :
- Wyndham Clark Loses Temper, Goes Berserk in U.S. Open Locker Room
- Ukrainian official sends police after Russian-language singer
- Next Week on 'The Bold & the Beautiful' Taylor Wants Answers