'It's A Team Game And I'll Do What's Best For The Team'- Marnus Labuschagne Reveals Whether He Will Open The Innings For Australia

Australia’s number three in Test cricket Marnus Labuschagne has thrown his hat in the ring to open the innings in the first Test if the team needs. An injury-ridden Australia faces problem ahead of the opening Test in Adelaide against India as their options of finding competent batsmen at the top order have trimmed down and the incumbents have either been out of form or have a mediocre record. Marnus Labuschagne, who has been a potent force in Test cricket thus far, revealed he would do what the team needs to win matches and even if that means opening the innings.

The groin injury that David Warner suffered in the second ODI in Sydney will keep him out till the second Test in Melbourne. On the other hand, Will Pucovski, who was also one of the chief contenders, suffered a concussion in the first warm-up game against India in Sydney with Marcus Harris replacing him. The likely openers for the opening Test of the summer remain, Joe Burns, who has been woefully out of form and Marcus Harris, who made his Test debut in the 2018-19 and has far from an impressive record.

Marnus Labuschagne conceded that he would do whatever the team requires him to and that it is their job as cricketers. Hence, the 26-year old revealed that if him opening the innings remains in the best interest of the team and it is what will make them win, they will do so.

“Look, whatever the team needs, that is our job as cricketers that we are doing what is best for the team. If the team needs me to open, that’s what we will do, it’s a team sport and it is about winning games, if this is the best way to win games, this is what we will do,” Labuschagne said as quoted by ANI.

He is a very good player: Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne also threw his weight behind an under-fire Joe Burns and knows what it is like to have runs under their belt and feels that one innings cannot judge a player’s ability. Hence, the right-handed batsman backed the Queensland opener to come good if he gets the nod in the first Test, acknowledging him as an excellent player.

“I spoke to Joe a couple of nights ago, he is doing alright, we have all been there where we just want to score runs, a few innings is not a judgement on a player’s ability. I have full faith on Joe and if he is selected, he will be good to go, he is a man for big moments. I just hope he gets some runs in the second innings of the ongoing practice match. He is a very good player,” he added.

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