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Australia to settle on surprise opening duo
SEN • October 31st, 2025 9:04 am
Australia will likely settle on a surprise opening pair for the first Ashes Test next month.
Channel 7’s Theo Doropoulos is reporting that Marnus Labuschagne is set to open alongside fellow Queenslander Usman Khawaja in Perth for the November 21 series opener against England.
He reported: “As it stands (barring injury or complete change of heart), Marnus Labuschagne is set to open the batting with Usman Khawaja in the first Test in Perth.”
Doropoulos believes that Cam Green will remain at no.3 while Steve Smith, Travis Head and Beau Webster will be at no.4, 5 and 6 respectively.
There have been several names floated to open with Khawaja, including Matt Renshaw,
Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Jake Weatherald, Marcus Harris, Cam Bancroft, Campbell Kellaway, Kurtis Patterson and Josh Inglis, among others.
Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Jake Weatherald, Marcus Harris, Cam Bancroft, Campbell Kellaway, Kurtis Patterson and Josh Inglis, among others.
Recent chatter suggested it could be Weatherald to partner Khawaja, but it appears that Labuschagne has won the bat-off and might just be the man to stride to the crease to face the new ball.
