Marnus Labsuchagne has been a bloody good No.3 for Australia, but he can be an even better opener.
And he need look no further than his former coach Justin Langer if he wants any reassurance about the potential benefits of life at the top of the order.
Langer averaged 48.22 as an opener, after previously going at 39.85 batting at No.3 or below. Sixteen of his 23 Test centuries came after winning a recall in 2001, an opportunity he seized gleefully by posting a career-changing 102 not out at The Oval.
Langer and Matthew Hayden became one of the all-time great pairings, but if not for Michael Slater losing his way in England in 2001, the two southpaws may never have joined forces.
Langer, in other words, probably had no great desire to open until he had no other option. Suddenly he took a liking to the idea, and the rest is history.
Likewise, Labuschagne is reportedly loath to relocate from the first-drop role he has commanded for the past few years.
As incumbent opener Usman Khawaja explained last summer, when asked if Labuschagne was an option to replace the retiring David Warner: “I think he would give you a really clear, ‘hell no’. Marnus has got opening-itis … opening is not easy. It’s tough work.
“I can tell you that because I’ve batted at one, two, three, four, five and six for Australia. I’m telling you by far opening is the hardest and it’s very hard to bring someone who hasn’t opened.
“I’m positive if you put Marnus up there at opening he would do very well. But would he do as well opening as he does at No.3? I’m not sure. I wouldn’t want to take the risk.”
Khawaja is more qualified than most to comment on the subject, but perhaps Langer might argue that necessity is the mother of invention, not to mention opportunity.
Marnus Labuschagne celebrates after Australia defeated India last year. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
With Steve Smith set to return to No.4 after his brief opening salvo, the Aussies need a new partner for Khawaja.
And given that South Australian skipper Nathan McSweeney appears the leading candidate to replace injured Cameron Green in the first Test against India later this month, one way or the other, Australia will in all likelihood need to manufacture an opener.
It would be a big ask to chuck McSweeney in as a stopgap on his Test debut. So Labuschagne is surely the most logical option.
At No.3, he is on his way to the crease and facing the new ball every time a wicket falls in the opening overs anyway. There might actually be less pressure on him walking out at 0-0, with a clean slate.
Labuschagne’s career record – 11 centuries and an average of 49.56 from 50 Tests – stands as testimony to his capacity for playing long innings.
He’s become a grinder, a brick wall in defence, an opponent who worries the opposition because he can just bat, and bat, and bat. He’s also a right-hander, which makes him the ideal foil for Khawaja at the other end, creating inherent problems for rival bowlers, captains and fielders.
Everything about moving Labuschange up top makes sense, and like Langer, it could be for the long haul. For the time being, he and Khawaja would form a pretty solid, albeit dour, one-two combination for Australia, although it is unlikely to be a lasting liaison, given that “Uzzie” will be 38 before the summer is finished.
Nathan McSweeney bats in Mackay. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Once he is gone, Australia would be wise to consider a dasher to partner Labuschagne. Opening pairings such as Hayden-Langer, Taylor-Slater, Warner-Khawaja, Warner-Rogers and Simpson-Lawry complemented each other by combining a dominator and a sheet anchor.
Finding someone to play the aggressor will be easier said than done, although young Sam Konstas has shown a refreshing willingness to play his shots from ball one.
The Poms, of course, are looming large on the horizon and, barring some unforeseen turn of events Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will be their first men in, and they’ll be scoring at a far quicker clip than their Aussie counterparts.
That’s fine. The good thing about Bazball is that it allows the opponents to take as long as they like to post a reply, and yet still have time to win the Test.
All of which should be music to the ears of Marnus Labuschagne, Australia’s next Test opener in waiting.
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