Australia may consider changes after their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final loss to South Africa, which exposed issues in their top order. The five-wicket defeat at Lord’s has raised questions about both openers in that match — Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja.
Labuschagne, who has averaged in the low 30s over the past three years, was tested as an opener in the final but failed to make an impact, scoring just 17 and 22. With promising players like Sam Konstas and Cameron Green waiting for their chance, Labuschagne’s place in the team appears uncertain. However, head coach Andrew McDonald has backed him strongly.
“He’s a big part of the future of the team” – McDonald on Labuschagne
“He’s a big part of the future of the team,” McDonald told the Sydney Morning Herald. “Anyone that averages 46 in Test cricket at that age is important. We’ve got older players there who are closer to the end than the start, we’ve got some younger players coming in, and you definitely want guys that have got 60-odd Test matches.”
He added, “At the moment, he’d be disappointed with the returns, he’s missed out on big scores. We’re confident he can return to his best, hence why we keep picking him. It’s at what point do we stop picking him.”
Usman Khawaja, now 38, is also under pressure after struggling against top-quality pace attacks, including Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada. Despite this, McDonald also stood firmly by him.
“He’s on contract, he’s an important player, he gives us stability at his best at the top, and we like to look at our players at their best. No doubt a couple of failures here and people then start to talk about ‘maybe it’s the end’. I don’t see an end date with the way he’s training, the way he’s preparing, the way he’s moving.”
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