Former English top-order batter Mark Butcher feels Marnus Labuschagne will be a better fit at the No. 3 position as compared to Cameron Green for the upcoming Ashes. The five-match series is scheduled
to commence on November 21.
Butcher stated that Labuschagne's form in the Sheffield Shield for Queensland is a positive indicator for Australia. The erstwhile left-handed batter also opined that Labuschagne had silenced his doubters with his recent performances.
"The main thing, particularly in the batting, is that Labuschagne seems to have rediscovered what made him so prolific in the early part of his Test-match career by churning out runs for fun in the Sheffield Shield, which is a huge boon for Australia. I think they were loath really to throw in any of the other likely lads, none of whom have really set the world on fire in the last couple of years. They were desperate for one of their old hands, to quieten down the doubts as to whether or not he was still top class, and I think he has done that," stated Butcher in the Wisden Cricket Weekly Podcast.
He highlighted how an early wicket is always on the cards when playing a Test match in Australia. According to Butcher, Labuschagne would be the ideal candidate to come in and steady the ship.
"Playing against the new ball in Australia, you are always under threat of an opener getting knocked over early. I think in those circumstances, having a top-class top-order batter in Labuschagne batting at three is preferable to having him go in first and then having Green come in at number three, who is yet to prove himself as being a Test-match number three batter," he added.
Labuschagne's last Test for Australiawas the 2023-25 World Test Championship final before he was dropped for the West Indies tour. He has been selected in the squad for the first Test against England.
Labuschagne's last eight innings for Queensland have seen him score five centuries across the red-ball and List A matches. The Aussies will be keen that he keeps up the form and delivers crucial a performance in the series-opening fixture.
