Brisbane: Marnus Labuschagne made a compelling case for a position in Australia’s Ashes squad by scoring 160 runs as Queensland triumphed over Tasmania in the opening match of the Sheffield Shield at Allan Border Field. After not participating in the recent Test series against the West Indies, Labuschagne aimed to solidify his selection ahead of the Ashes. His form included a century in the One-day Cup, and he started the domestic red-ball tournament with a substantial innings.
Australia remains uncertain about its top three batting positions for the Ashes, particularly as Sam Konstas struggled to establish his role during the West Indies series, and Usman Khawaja also faced challenges. Performers like Jason Sangha, Jake Weatherald, and Matt Renshaw are vying for inclusion, giving Australia time to consider its lineup while Labuschagne’s performance enhances his selection prospects.
Konstas, who had a disappointing tour in the West Indies, did manage to score a century while on the A tour to India. However, in the Sheffield Shield opener for New South Wales, he returned with scores of 4 and 14. Khawaja, hoping to retain his position, contributed a resilient 69 while opening alongside Renshaw, who also scored a hundred.
Weatherald, representing Tasmania, provided a commendable start with 67 runs in the first innings and remained not out on 30 at the close of Day Three. As Tasmania trails by 171 runs heading into the final day, a century from Weatherald would be crucial.
England has already announced a pace-heavy squad for the Ashes, while Australia still has time to finalize its roster ahead of the five-match Test series set to commence in Perth on November 21. While Australia is favored to win, England’s attractive style of play makes them a formidable opponent.
