The decision to promote Marnas Labushen as an opener for Australia as an opener for Australia against South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final was reversed. Labushen tried to stay at the crease for most of the first session, but he failed to pull his innings long and Marco Jansen made him run. Let us know that despite the presence of specialist opener Sam Constas in the squad, Australia had fielded Marnas for opening.

Labushen struggled for 55 balls and scored only 17 runs. He left most of the balls while playing with a precaution and played shots on the same balls, which he was completely convinced. In his innings, he only hit a four and after that Jansen was dismissed.

Marns have been batting at number 3 mostly for Australia and this was the first time he was opening for Australia. Although he has opened 15 times in first-class cricket, but since 2016 it was only the second time. He also scored a century in May 2024 while opening for glamorgan.

After David Warner’s retirement, Australia is looking for a permanent opener but so far he has not received any concrete option. In the series against India, Constas opened with Usman Khwaja, while the head was sent up in the series against Sri Lanka. However, this bet with Labushen in the WTC final turned upside down to Australia.

ALSO READ: WTC Final Day 1, AUS vs SA Score Live: Australia’s innings, 4 wickets lost to lunch, Rabada-Jansen’s sharp bowling

South Africa-Australia Head to Head
So far 101 Test matches have been played between Australia and South Africa. Australia has won 54 matches, while South Africa won 26. 21 matches were drawn.

When Australia Played South Africa Neutral Tests
Three neutral Test matches have been played between Australia and South Africa so far, and all three were held in 1912. Two of these matches were won by Australia at Manchester and Lords, while Nottingham match was a draw. In Lord’s, Australia has played 40 Tests so far, out of which 18 have won, 7 have lost and 15 have been drawn. At the same time, South Africa has played 18 Tests there, in which 6 have won, 8 are lost and 4 are drawn.

South Africa’s playing for WTC final: Temba Bavuma (Captain), Eden Markram, Ryan Ryyan Ricelton, Vian Mulder, Triston Stabs, David Bedingham, Kyle Varin, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngid

Australia’s playing for WTC finals 11: Usman Khwaja, Marnas Labushen, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Bu Webster, Alex Carrie, Pat Cummins (Captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Leon, Josh Hazlewood.