‘I’m not a selector’: Marnus Labuschagne won’t give Usman Khawaja any tips on how to fight through rough patch with the bat

Marnus Labuschagne has thrown his support behind Test teammate Usman Khawaja but concedes his opinion doesn’t matter as selectors weigh up whether to stick with the veteran opener for the second Ashes Test. Khawaja has gone 11 innings without a Test 50 and managed just two runs in the Ashes opener in Perth where he dropped down the order due to time off the field in the first innings. He didn’t bat the second time around due to back spasms as Travis Head pounded the attack to give Australia a 1-0 series lead. The veteran turns 39 this month and there are questions over whether the upcoming Gabba Test could be his final one if he can’t cement his position with some timely runs. Labuschagne knows what it’s like to be dropped from the Test side, with the batter winning back his spot with a mountain of runs in the Sheffield Shield. “I don’t think he needs advice,” he said in Brisbane. “He’s 38 and he’s been around the block a long time. He’s got 50 first-class hundreds – don’t quote me on that – but it’s close to that. “He is an amazing player, and the way he’s gone about his game and the way he’s gone from a number three or four to opening the batting … has been awesome. “I think Usman is a high-quality player. You look at his record and what he averages over 85 Tests and what he’s done for Australian cricket, especially since he’s come back in 2021. “He’s been super consistent and he’s been the rock at the top there. There’s been a lot of talk about how many opening partners he’s had over his time. “I’m not a selector. Whatever happens is up to the people above my pay grade and what they deem is the best way for us to win the game and win the series. “I think it’s game by game and you work out what your best team is and how does it work for the game.” Khawaja’s lean run and Head’s dominant knock have led to questions over who should be Australia’s long-term option at the top of the order. And while there are plenty of candidates, Labuschagne and Steve Smith will happily remain at first and second drop after the former was dismissed for nine when he was forced to open in Perth. “I think we can be pretty sure that Steve or I won’t open,” he said. “I think where you bat in the order is probably pushes back the time you come to the crease, and I think that’s why there is a batting order because certain times suit certain players and the way they play. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you bat. We’ve got to find ways to score runs, so whatever happens or whatever order you go with, it’s just about what’s best for this game and how do we win this game, and what’s the best team to do that.” The Aussies will be looking to go 2-0 up in Brisbane, with England star Joe Root recently questioning the need for a pink ball Ashes Test. But Labuschagne has no qualms with the day-night match given he averages nearly 64 and has scored four centuries against the pink ball. “I think what Adelaide has done with the pink ball Test is pretty awesome with how they’ve made it an event and how it all fits together,” he said ahead of the second Test starting on Thursday. “Would I prefer to play red ball over pink ball? Probably, because you play it more and you’re used to the colour of the ball. “There are a few intricate things about the pink ball that make it a bit of a different game, but as anything, when it first came along everyone was like ‘no, we just want red ball’. “But it’s become something that traditionally Australia has been very good at and we’ve learnt over time the different moments of the game and how to play them, so hopefully that can be an advantage for us going into this game.”