Former England batter Ian Bell says fellow No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne has the skill set to become an effective Test opener if Australia chooses to reshuffle its batting order following David Warner’s retirement.
With Warner set to bow out of the longer format after the Sydney Test in January, coach Andrew McDonald has flagged an opportunity to reintroduce Cameron Green into the batting line-up by shifting a middle order player into the vacant opening slot.
In-form all-rounder Mitch Marsh took Green’s spot during the Ashes and will begin the series against Pakistan occupying the No. 6 role.
“(Green’s) a generational type player and … how long can he stay out of the team without hindering the team’s progress and also individually, Cam’s progress,” McDonald told SEN on Tuesday.
“Mitch Marsh has taken his spot in that middle order. What does Cam Green’s future look like in that Test team?
“There’s always the idea you can potentially shift the order to make room and put your best six batters or what you see as your best six batters in a certain order. And we’ve seen that in Australian cricket before. David Boon went from three to opening. Justin Langer went from three to opening. Shane Watson went from six to opening.”
Bell, who preferred to bat first drop but was shifted around frequently in his 118 Tests for England, said Labuschagne would be able to shift up the order in a move that could accommodate Green in the side.
But he cautioned against changing the balance of a strong performing line-up, pointing to England’s reluctance to move Joe Root from his preferred No. 4 position.
“ (Labuschagne) has got the skill set to do it. For the team as well, they’ll be thinking about what’s the right set up for the side,” Bell said.
“He’s been so successful, his numbers are incredible, certainly in Australia as well in the role he plays. There’s no doubt he could do it, but he’s also been very successful (at first drop) at the moment.
“In England, Joe Root’s numbers are so good at No. 4, and a lot of people talk about him batting three, but then you’re moving someone away from where they’ve done so well, so you’ve just got to get the balance right with that.”
Bell said it would be “fascinating” to see how Australia filled the void left by Warner but tipped Travis Head to carry on his form from a stellar year across all formats.
“When you lose legendary players, and Warner is obviously one of those great players, it will be strange to start with, the thought of not having him in the side,” he said.
“It will be fascinating to see what they do go with, but the way Travis Head is playing in all formats of the game, you feel like he’s ready to step in and be one of Australia’s top players in all formats.”
