“Time To Move On” – Ponting On Labuschagne's Test Future

Cricketer Marnus Labuschagne

Ponting says it's 'well and truly' time to move on from Labuschagne. Second top-order casualty looms for Australia after Weatherald axing.

Marnus Labuschagne faces axing as Ponting calls for change...

Ricky Ponting says it’s “well and truly” time for Australia to move on from Marnus Labuschagne. The bowlers were back to their best in the second Test win over Bangladesh in Mackay, but the top order’s struggles remain a concern.  

The innings and 51-run win was a big response after the loss in Darwin. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins tore through Bangladesh, a timely boost ahead of a tough three-Test tour of South Africa in October.  

Australia’s batting woes have put selectors in a tough spot, and out-of-form No.3 Marnus Labuschagne could be in danger of losing his spot for the South Africa tour.

The South Africa-born batter was already under fire after two cheap dismissals in Darwin, and he fell for just 4 in Mackay when Shoriful Islam bowled him off the thigh pad.

Labuschagne looked dejected walking off, and later even cut his thigh pad with scissors in an odd attempt to adjust his gear. 

But the real issue was technical. He had shuffled too far across his crease, exposing leg stump to Shoriful, more fuel for critics calling for a change.

“There's some technical deficiency there, but he's making the margin for error for the bowlers too great,” said former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

“It's well and truly time to have a look at somebody else.”

Dropping Labuschagne would mark the second top-order change in two Tests, after opener Jake Weatherald was axed following Australia’s shock nine-wicket loss in Darwin.

Weatherald’s replacement Matt Renshaw didn’t do much to stake his claim, making 8 in his first Test in over three years with a catch in the slips. But he’s likely to get more time.

The bigger dilemma for selectors is whether to keep Travis Head opening alongside Renshaw.  

Head was promoted from the middle order during the Ashes when Usman Khawaja was battling injury, and he’s stayed there even though he’s not a natural opener.

Some ex-players, including Mark Waugh, want Head back in the middle order. But that would leave Australia gambling on two inexperienced openers against South Africa, the side that beat them in last year’s World Test Championship final.  

Cameron Green has finally cemented his spot at No.5 with runs in Darwin and Mackay. Moving Head back down would also force a reshuffle that pushes keeper Alex Carey to 6 and all-rounder Beau Webster to 7.

Australia named just a 13-man squad for Bangladesh, but are likely to take 16 or more to South Africa with extra batting options included.  

It’s still unclear which fringe batter will get the call-up, with no one making a compelling case so far.  

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey said there’s no rush to make further changes to Australia’s batting order.