Former Australian coach Justin Langer has voiced his support for Marnus Labuschagne, urging the national team to retain the struggling batsman in the top order. Langer believes dropping Labuschagne would hinder the development of future batting talent. Labuschagne’s place in the team has come under scrutiny following Australia’s loss in the ICC World Test Championship final to South Africa. Despite being promoted to open the innings, he recorded scores of 17 and 22, finishing the two-year cycle with an average of 27.82.
Langer emphasized Labuschagne’s experience and past success, highlighting his average of 46.19 over his career. He pointed out that all players experience periods of poor form, but the departure of key batsmen like David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and potentially Steve Smith, leaves a significant gap. Langer suggests that Labuschagne is a crucial link in the batting lineup and that the team should focus on helping him regain his form. Andrew McDonald, the current head coach, has indicated that Labuschagne remains in the team’s plans.
Langer also drew parallels to the past, highlighting how young players thrived when surrounded by experienced players. He cautioned against immediately bringing in inexperienced players, particularly during a series like the Ashes. He cited examples of young players needing time to develop before being thrown into high-pressure situations.
