Justin Langer, the former Australian head coach, has advised the team to persist with Marnus Labuschagne in the face of his recent struggles. Langer feels that dropping the batsman could negatively impact the nurturing of future batting talent within the national team. Labuschagne’s position in the team is being questioned after Australia’s loss in the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa. He was promoted to open the batting but managed scores of 17 and 22, concluding the two-year cycle with an average of 27.82.
Langer, reflecting on Labuschagne’s career, described him as a 50-Test player and a former world-class batter, noting his current average of 46.19. He acknowledged that all players face challenging periods and that scrutiny comes with a lack of runs. He highlighted the importance of Labuschagne in the current team, especially given the exits of senior players like Warner, Khawaja, and potentially Smith. Langer believes Labuschagne is a critical component, and the team should prioritize helping him find form.
Langer also mentioned that new players need time to develop, suggesting that they shouldn’t be rushed into high-pressure situations like the Ashes. He compared the current scenario with the past, when young players excelled alongside experienced cricketers. Andrew McDonald has confirmed that Labuschagne is in the team’s future plans.