Former Australian cricket captain Greg Chappell has voiced strong reservations about the national team’s strategic approach for the upcoming Ashes Test. With the absence of Sam Konstas from the squad, Marnus Labuschagne is slated to open the batting, a decision Chappell believes is fraught with peril. He argues that prioritizing a perceived balanced team composition over specialist positions could backfire significantly.
Chappell, writing in a recent column, suggested that despite the inclusion of uncapped opener Jake Weatherald, selectors appear poised to have Labuschagne open alongside Usman Khawaja. This move, he explained, is likely intended to accommodate all-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster, particularly given Green’s limited bowling capacity post-back surgery. However, Chappell contends that this selection gamble overlooks Labuschagne’s proven success at his preferred No. 3 position.
“Opening with Labuschagne is extremely risky,” Chappell stated, emphasizing that his current success lies in batting at number three. He pointed out that the consideration of Labuschagne as an opener signals a lack of confidence in specialist opening options and potentially indicates that Green and Webster are not yet ready to contribute sufficient overs with the ball.
Drawing parallels with Australian legends Ian Chappell and Ricky Ponting, who excelled at number three, Greg Chappell highlighted the distinct mental approach required for opening. “They were often batting early in the innings, but the mindset to walk out to open the innings is subtly different,” he noted, suggesting that forcing a player out of their optimal role, even with a history of success, carries inherent risks.
Chappell also touched upon Labuschagne’s recent resurgence in form, attributing it to a renewed attacking mindset. He cautioned that a purely defensive, risk-averse batting style, while seeming safe, can paradoxically lead to dismissals by limiting scoring opportunities and stifling natural play. “This risk-averse attitude to batting actually increases the risk of getting out,” Chappell warned, urging selectors not to jeopardize Labuschagne’s return to form by batting him out of his specialist position.