The selection clue that could shape Australia’s Ashes line-up

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Marnus Labuschagne has received no indication from selectors about whether he will return to his prized spot of No.3, in a clear sign he is being strongly considered to open the batting in the Ashes.

By picking Labuschagne to partner Usman Khawaja at the top as a straight-out replacement for Sam Konstas, a selection panel that craves stability would then have room to pick both all-rounders, Cameron Green and Beau Webster. This would keep the same players at numbers three to six from Australia’s most recent Test against the West Indies in Kingston.

Marnus Labuschagne is set to return to the Test team, but at what position is unclear.

Despite his return to the runs, it is not a given Labuschagne will reclaim the position at first drop, where he dominated from 2019-23 when he was officially ranked the world’s No.1 Test batter.

Selectors have not yet told Labuschagne – the Shield’s leading run-scorer this season with 341 at 85 – if he will open or return to three, according to two sources with knowledge of the matter.

Marnus Labuschagne has started the summer strongly.

Speaking after play at the Gabba on Friday, Labuschagne was asked about the prospect of opening.

“I’d say, ‘Great’,” Labuschagne told reporters.

“It honestly doesn’t concern me – I just want to be playing cricket at my best.

“This year I’ve been in in the first few overs a few times. You’re used to it batting No.3, and I’ve batted there probably 95 per cent of my career in both formats.

“I’m very used to being in early. If I have to open, great. If I bat three, great. Wherever there’s a spot for me, I’ll take it, and we’ll go from there.”

The incumbent No.3, Green’s batting numbers in the Caribbean appear mediocre, but he improved through the series and passed 40 in three of his six innings in treacherous batting conditions.

Skipper Pat Cummins indicated the generational talent would be given an extended run at three after Labuschagne’s axing in the Caribbean in June.

“We see that as a long-term option,” Cummins said.

Webster, with selector Tony Dodemaide watching from the boundary at Junction Oval, rounded out a poor game with the bat by attempting a wild slash and being caught at backward point for six.

Dodemaide left the ground not long after, but he would have been pleased the all-rounder sent down 23 overs in his return from an ankle injury.

The uncertainty over where Labuschagne will bat is due in large part to the inability of specialist openers around the country to press home their claims. With no more Shield cricket to play before selectors convene to pick the Test squad, Labuschagne stands head and shoulders above his state counterparts.

Incumbent opener Sam Konstas completed a disappointing first three rounds of the Shield by giving away his wicket in cavalier fashion against Queensland.

With the rain-interrupted match headed for a draw and an early finish, Konstas advanced down the pitch to play an extravagant drive to debutant paceman Sam Skelly only to hole out at mid-off for 41.

After managing 50 runs from six innings in the Caribbean, last summer’s Boxing Day hero has produced 122 runs at 20.33 across his six Sheffield Shield knocks this season, passing 20 just twice.

On a Gabba pitch where wickets fell every 53 runs across the match, Konstas again teased with moments of class – notably a cleanly struck six off Mitch Swepson – but another rash shot capped off an underwhelming case to retain his place.

Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald was another who did himself no favours, twice failing to see out the final few overs of the day to the new Kookaburra in his scores of zero and 12 from a combined total of 13 balls against Victoria.

Matt Renshaw did not capitalise either, making 29 for Queensland after a century in his other Shield hit four weeks ago.