The Australian selectors are facing quite a quandary.
Marnus Labuschagne, having missed out on Australia’s provisional World Cup squad, has earned back-to-back player of the match honours to give George Bailey’s selection panel plenty to ponder over the coming weeks.
Since being parachuted into Australia’s starting XI as a concussion substitute on Thursday, Labuschagne has cracked 204 runs off 192 deliveries across two matches in Bloemfontein.
Facing the likes of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada, the Queenslander scored a career-best 124 (99) on Saturday, reaching triple figures in just 80 deliveries. He combined with veteran opener David Warner for a 151-run partnership for the third wicket, smacking 19 boundaries and a brutal six over deep mid-wicket to set up Australia’s comprehensive 123-run victory.
“(I’ve made) a few slight technical changes that I started in England. I’m a little bit more open in my stance, and just more intent,” Labuschagne explained in the post-match presentation.
“(I’m) looking to hit boundaries, looking to score, rather than lay off and try to manipulate from the start.
“It’s nice that it’s started so well, but we’ve just got to keep winning games.”
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Labuschagne’s two knocks in Bloemfontein demonstrated his adaptability in the 50-over format. During Thursday’s series opener, he rescued the Australians after an early collapse in the run chase, picking the gaps and rotating the strike with the lower order to patiently chip away at the deficit.
However, Australia was in a considerably different position when Labuschagne walked to the crease on Saturday afternoon, capitalising on the team’s fast start to help the tourists register its third-highest total in ODI history.
Labuschagne scored runs in all corners of Mangaung Oval on Saturday, dabbing through third man with control, driving down the ground with elegance and slapping through the covers with authority.
It was a white-ball masterclass, notably coming on a pitch that replicated subcontinent conditions. Just as his underwhelming ODI form warranted last month’s axing, Labuschagne’s South African heroics have demanded a recall ahead of the World Cup.
However, unearthing a vacancy is no simple task.
“Marnus is a quality player,” Warner told reporters in the post-match press conference.
“He played extremely well … he’s in a good place.
“The selectors have spoken to Marnus. I think quite clearly you can see that it’s a like-for-like replacement with (Steve) Smith.
“We’ve got extreme firepower and a lot of all-rounders as well, which is always handy in this format, but then again, form is the greatest thing for selection.
“He’s putting his hand up, he’s making the most of those opportunities, and you’ll have to wait and see what selectors say.”
Labuschagne’s like-for-like replacement in the Australian squad is Smith, who is currently nursing a wrist injury he sustained during the Ashes, but there’s no chance the New South Welshman will face the axe.
Cameron Green is recovering from the concussion scare he sustained in the series opener, but the all-rounder’s versatility gives Australia a plethora of options for team balance in the World Cup. The 24-year-old, who averages 50.33 with the bat in ODIs, already has two hundreds in India this year, while he’s more than capable of serving as a fifth bowling option.
As the touring party’s reserve batter, Josh Inglis could be forced to make way for Labuschagne’s return, but that would leave Australia without a reserve wicketkeeper at their disposal, a risk not worth taking in a World Cup.
Marcus Stoinis’ recent ODI form with the bat has been woeful since the start of the 2019 World Cup in England — the 34-year-old has averaged 15.40 in his most recent 28 ODI knocks, failing to register a half-century during that period.
However, Stoinis has recently served as a finisher in the 50-over format, batting in the lower-order and providing valuable contributions with the bat. Replacing him with Labuschagne leaves Australia with one less bowling option at their disposal, while stacking the starting XI with all-rounders has proven successful over the last 12 months.
Sean Abbott and Ashton Agar are also at risk of being bumped out of the 15-man touring party, but that would leave Australia without a back-up pace bowler and strike spinner — less than ideal.
Then there’s Glenn Maxwell, who’s recovering from a minor ankle injury and still feeling the ramifications of last summer’s gruesome broken leg. If he’s ruled out of the World Cup, Labuschagne could take his spot in Australia’s squad, but Tim David would be the closest like-for-like replacement.
Australia is permitted to change its World Cup squad until September 28, giving the selection panel a couple of weeks to weigh up its options. Meanwhile, Labuschagne will look to continue bashing the door down in his country of birth.
“It’s not in my control,” Labuschagne said of his World Cup chances.
“I’m just enjoying playing cricket … my job is just to keep playing well.”
The third ODI between South Africa and Australia gets underway at Potchefstroom’s Senwes Park on Tuesday, with the first ball scheduled for 9pm AEST.
Originally published as Who could be under threat as Aussies face World Cup dilemma over Marnus’ brilliant response to snub