Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has said that Marnus Labuschagne will not be dropped even if Australia’s number 3 fails again in the Adelaide Test starting on Friday.
Marnus Labuschagne averaged 13.66 in his last Test innings.
“I would definitely (pick him for Adelaide) and I’ll back him in the next Test,” Paine told Sean Breakfast.
“There are a few reasons, one is that he has got some credit in the bank, that is first and foremost. You can’t average 48 in Test cricket, even after a terrible run (of not being a good player) recently,” he added.
Paine explained why Jasprit Bumrah didn’t reveal another youngster in front of him.
“Secondly, I’m not sure what the options are behind him right now, and if there are options they are young and I’m not sure I want to expose Jasprit Bumrah. It has to be in their thought process.
“You don’t want to throw Sam Konstas into this series at this time against a guy of his quality. It could be a really bad way to start a Test career.
“Thirdly, I think it actually works in Marnus’s favor that it’s a pink-ball Test. He almost gets a few free hits because the batting can be very difficult and there’s no chance of anyone leaving after a pink-ball Test.
“So, he has a few things in his favor.”