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David Boon did not include Marnus Labuschagne from his preferred Australia squad for the Ashes series starting November 21.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne in the nets (AP)
Former Australia cricketer and selector David Boon has excluded Marnus Labuschagne from his preferred Australia squad for the crucial Ashes series, which begins on November 21 in Perth. The five-match Test series will also take place in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Boon, who ended his tenure as an ICC Match Referee earlier this year, has shown support for the struggling opening pair of Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja to start in Perth, despite their poor performances against the West Indies.
Khawaja and Labuschagne opened for Australia in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa at Lord’s in June. Labuschagne was then dropped for the West Indies tour in June-July after scoring 17 and 22. Konstas, who replaced Labuschagne, scored just 50 runs at an average of 8.3, while Khawaja averaged 19.5.
Who Makes Australia’s Ashes Squad?
“I’ve got to be a bit careful here because if I get too hard one way, George (Bailey) won’t speak to me. I don’t think there will be that much change in the Perth team.”
“The way it has been selected in the last six months or so, I don’t think there will be much change but there will be change after the Ashes. I’d stick with Usman and there’s a choice to make in the second opener. I’d like them to give Konstas a go, with Smith 3, Head 4, Green at 5, Webster at 6, Carey 7 then Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon,” said Boon on SEN Tassie radio.
Australia are the current holders of the Ashes, having won the series in 2021/22 and drawing the series in England in 2023. Boon also mentioned Jake Weatherald, Nathan McSweeney, and Campbell Kellaway as potential future players for the Australian Test team. “Boland will be in the squad, then it depends, the second opening position may depend on the four shield games prior to the Ashes.”
“There are three names for me: (Jake) Weatherald and then two young talented players (Nathan) McSweeney and (Campbell) Kellaway from Victoria. The key is, those that may be in the mix, they have to play those four Shield games for maximum opportunity,” he added.
(With inputs from IANS)
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
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