Marnus Labuschagne makes call on Test opener race as Aussies rule out one contender

Marnus Labuschagne and former cricket coach Darren Lehmann have backed Nathan McSweeney as an option to debut against India this summer, with Josh Inglis ruled out of contention for the role. Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, Inglis and youngster Sam Konstas have all been names thrown out to lead the batting this summer, but South Australia batter McSweeney is gaining ground on the pack.

McSweeney has scored 291 runs in his previous four innings, which has included a century in the Sheffield Shield and the One-Day Cup. While he struggled at the beginning of the 2024 season for runs, McSweeney has returned after a break and looks rejuvenated.

And plenty of those within the Australian cricket community have rallied around the 25-year-old. Former Aussie batter and coach Lehmann labelled his 137 runs, off 131 balls, in the Marsh Cup as "one of the best one-day innings we have seen".

And according to Lehmann, he feels the race to open the batting for Australia is between two debutants this summer. "Against India and England (in 2025-26) where you are up against quality fast bowling you want someone who bats at the top of the order, and for me at the moment it is down to two ... Konstas and McSweeney," Lehmann said.

"I am probably (leaning towards) McSweeney. I have seen a bit more of him of late. I haven't seen enough of Sam. There is a theory with Sam that he gets beaten on the inside a bit and plays away from his body, and I have seen that, but I still think he is a very fine player.

"He is making runs and that is all you can do, just as McSweeney made another hundred. If it gets down to form, you can pick one of those two."

Lehmann backed a young player to make the opening position their own, since David Warner's retirement, and felt the series against India was the perfect opportunity to allow a star to be born. "Because they are young I don't mind it because they could be 75-Test players, and we have got older and experienced guys to help out ... so if we are ever going to pick a young one we can do it now," he said.

Marnus Labuschagne praises Nathan McSweeney

Labuschagne is another high-profile player to back McSweeney. The Queenslander admitted he has been impressed with McSweeney's leadership on the field, but also his form in 2024.

"Absolutely. He is a very good player, and not just his batting," Labuschagne said. "It's everything else he brings in the field, his bowling and his leadership style. This summer could be his opportunity. He has just got to keep going like he is now. If he keeps scoring runs he could put pressure on the selectors to pick him. He has certainly been very good so far this season and was very good last season as well."

Doubts have been raised about selecting a specialist opener, or just the most in-form batter, to take the vacant position at the top of the order. Former captain Michael Clarke was adamant an opener needed to be selected to fill the gap.

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However, McSweeney admitted he feels the preparation is quite similar and he would only be moving one position up the order if selected for Australia. "Batting at No.3 your preparation is similar," McSweeney said when asked about whether he would like to open. "All my prep is with the new ball, and sometimes you are in on the second ball of the game.

"As a kid it was a dream to get a baggy green and I will bat wherever. I have been lucky enough to get picked for Australia A again, which is a great opportunity for me to test my game. I feel like my game keeps progressing, which is a pleasing thing and hopefully I can continue do that."

Josh Inglis cops blow in hopes of Aussie Test debut

Meanwhile, selector George Bailey confirmed Inglis wouldn't be part of the Aussie Test squad as opener against India. While the likes of Ian Healy and Tim Paine have thrown Inglis' name out there, Bailey shut down the speculation on Monday. "I've spoken to Josh on this, and not in the short term do I think he's someone that we'd be looking to place in the top order," chairman of selectors Bailey said.

"There's no doubt that the form is really fantastic at the moment as we have seen when he has been playing for Australia and then the ability to jump back into domestic cricket and dominate as he has been. Different series at different times of the year is when he'd firmly come into the mix as a batter, and I think if the right opportunity opened up over the summer in the spots we think he's most capable of performing."