Pat Cummins delivers dagger to Marnus Labuschagne's hopes of return ahead of Ashes
Labuschagne averaged 27.82 across the last 12 months and struggled for runs against India, Sri Lanka and then South Africa. The batter was promoted to opener in the WTC final in a bid to find a some form.
But after failing again, the selectors finally opted to drop Labuschagne from the top order and Sam Konstas has moved in to replace him. Coach Andrew McDonald and George Bailey clearly see Labuschagne in their plans down the track, but he will have to bide his time back to domestic cricket and score some runs to regain his spot.
However, Cummins has delivered a telling call on his former No.3 position ahead of the West Indies series. Cameron Green took Labuschagne's No.3 role against South Africa in the one-off Test match final and struggled having only scored four runs across the two innings.
Green came under scrutiny for his technique with the likes of Damien Fleming suggesting he should move back down the order. "Cam Green, watch his technique, he's not technically efficient enough to bat at top 3 – these are specialist roles," Fleming said on SEN Radio.
Although speaking ahead of the first ball on Wednesday, Cummins has revealed the team view Green as the long-term No.3 in the side. "We see that (No.3) as a long-term option," Cummins said.
"Going in to last week, he's hitting the ball really well. He's moving really well. He had a Test match where it obviously didn't go to plan. The message is not to look too much into that. We're really happy with where his game is placed. I dare say he'll get a decent run at No.3."
This could be considered as a blow to Labuschagne who now appears to be without a direct path back into the side. Konstas will be looking to cement his position at the top of the order, while Josh Inglis has been given a chance at No.4 with Steve Smith out injured.
Smith will slot straight back in when fit and that leaves the opening role left with Travis Head and Beau Webster rounding out the top six. Konstas and Inglis will be looking to score some runs against a solid West Indies bowling attack and it could leave Labuschagne watching from the sideline when it comes to the Ashes later this year.
"If there's an opening, we could see him kind of fighting his way back into the Test team at some point, but obviously the focus now is giving a couple of other guys a go," Cummins said in a blow to Labuschagne. "He's had a pretty good run and obviously didn't make the most of it as well as he would have liked, so (we're) offering that opportunity to the next couple of guys."
'It was good reflecting, having a bit of time off to strengthen my game up. I've been trying to focus on a few key areas with my batting coach, and I feel like I've come a long way, so hopefully I can display that in the next few Test matches.'
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A player looking to grab the opportunity is Konstas. Having returned to the team for the first time since the India series, Konstas admitted it's nice to back in the side and isn't taking it for granted.
'It's been good training with the whole group and getting to know everyone a lot more,' Konstas said from Barbados. 'Obviously it's a tough team to crack into as we've got legends of the game.'For me, hopefully I grab my opportunity because it's such a strong side and I'm very grateful for that.
'It's a dream come true to be honest, 19 years old, playing for your country, travelling the world. I'm very lucky to be where I am currently.'
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