Labuschagne eyes test recall, open to Ashes opener role

Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne is ready to modify his game to once again play Test cricket, even if it means giving up his long-cherished No. 3 spot to open the batting in the Ashes.

The 31-year-old has not played for the Test side since the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025, after having a poor run between December 2022 and March this year, averaging just 33.08 in the Test arena. This decline in form was the reason for Labuschagne’s omission from the West Indies series earlier this year, his first omission since he made his place in the side in 2019.

Due to Labuschagne’s absence, Cameron Green was promoted to No. 3 and had some success in difficult conditions in the Caribbean, scoring 184 runs at an average of just over 30 in six innings. With Green continuing to embrace the No. 3 spot, and young opener Sam Konstas with 50 in six innings, selectors could call on Labuschagne to fill the top order void.

Labuschagne, who opened in the WTC final against South Africa, scoring 17 and 22, says he is ready for the challenge. “I would be happy to do that – I would love to. If opener is where I need to bat to be playing in the Test team, that’s fine,” he told News Corp. “I’ve batted at three my whole career, but at this stage you don’t get a choice. I got in during the final but didn’t go on with it.”

ALSO SEE: White Ferns all-rounder Thamsyn Newton announces retirement

Determined Labuschagne Eyes Ashes Return After Period of Reflection

His time out of the Test side has given him a rare opportunity to reflect and work intensively on his game without the pressure of immediate performance. “It’s something I thrive on proving the doubters wrong,” Labuschagne said. “Missing those West Indies Tests gave me the chance to think, ‘This is where I want to be and this is how I’m going to get there.’”

The Queenslander remains part of Australia’s ODI setup and could feature in the upcoming three-match series against South Africa. He will also have three Sheffield Shield games before the Ashes squad is named in mid-November, a key window to push for his recall. If form and opportunity align, Labuschagne’s path back to the Baggy Green may well begin at the very top of the order.