Ian Chappell says it would be ‘stupid’ if Australia opened the batting with Marnus Labuschagne for the first Ashes Test against England.
The sense of anticipation and excitement is palpable ahead of this winter’s series between the two age-old rivals, with Ben Stokes’ England assessing their chances of a rare victory Down Under.
The Baggy Greens have prevailed in 90 of the 172 Ashes matches played on home soil going back in history, and England have not recorded a series win in Australia since the side’s victory under Andrew Strauss in 2011.
But while the visitors have settled on a largely settled starting XI for the tour, Australia go into the opener with several selection decisions in question – not helped by injuries to captain Pat Cummins and fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood.
The hosts are also yet to confirm who will be chosen to open the batting alongside veteran Usman Khawaja, who is in line to make his 85th Test appearance in Perth.
Uncapped Jake Weatherald has been knocking on the door for some time and appears to be the leading candidate for the coveted spot thanks to strong form in Australia’s Sheffield Shield.
But there have been some calls for a resurgent Labuschagne to be given the nod to add some experience and knowledge at the top of the order, with England expected to mount an all-pace attack at the Optus Stadium on Friday.
When asked if Weatherald should open the batting, ex-Australia captain Chappell said Nine’s wide sports world: ‘Well, I hope so, especially because I would like to see Labuschagne at three o’clock.
‘If he [Labuschagne] if he goes back to playing the way he should be playing, instead of the way he was playing, then he’s a number three.
“At his best he’s a very good number three, so I think it would be stupid to try to open with him, in which case you’d have to open with Weatherald.”
According to Chappell, stand-in skipper Steve Smith is ‘comfortably’ Australia’s best batsman and – not for the first time – a potential thorn in England’s side.
“He’s not the type of guy you would say to your son, ‘Go and follow him,’ because not many people can play like Steve Smith and play as well as him,” Chappell added.
“But he’s by far the best batsman in the Australian side and he’s a damn good player.
‘That’s why England would want him there as soon as possible. The sooner you can get to him, the better your chances of getting him out.
‘If he comes in at 150-2, England could be in the hunt for a lot of points.’
While Chappell hopes Australia open with Weatherall, former England captain Michael Vaughan has a very different view, with Mitchell Marsh named as the hosts’ best-equipped option for the position.
This is despite Marsh being left out of Australia’s squad for the first Test, with the 34-year-old all-rounder joking that he would probably be ‘six beers deep at lunch on day one’ in Perth.
“I’d open with Mitchell Marsh if I were Australia,” Vaughan continued The overlap cricket.
“Two reasons: he is in good form and I think Usman Khawaja needs a partner who can step up.
‘I saw Marsh facing Mark Wood when Wood was bowling as fast as I’ve seen anyone bowl in recent times, and he hit him.
“Wood even said a few months ago that the only bowler he hated bowling against was Mitchell Marsh.
“The Aussies need someone to try and beat Jofra Archer early. If they give Archer the chance to hit the ground running and gain some confidence, he will grow and grow.
‘If I were Australia I would be very tempted to put Mitchell Marsh at the top.’
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