Labuschagne 'happy' to open as he eyes Test return

Marnus Labuschagne has revealed that he would be happy to open the batting for Australia if that's the way forward for him to return to the Test XI. One of the consistent batters over the years for Australia, Labuschagne has struggled for form off late in red-ball cricket that led to him being axed for the recent West Indies tour.

While he is expected to feature in the ODI XI this month against South Africa, especially after the retirements of Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell from the format, Labuschagne is eyeing a swift return to the Test squad with a home Ashes series scheduled this summer. With Cameron Green slotting in at No.3 in West Indies, Labuschagne's favoured position, the 31-year-old's best bet could be right up top especially with young Sam Konstas not making his chance count in the three Tests.

"If you had asked me where I prefer to bat, obviously I have batted at three my whole career, but at this stage you don't get a choice," Labuschagne admitted to News Corp. "I opened in the World Test Championship final and felt I batted quite well. I got in but did not go on with it. I would be happy to do that. I would love to. If opener is where I need to bat to be playing in the Test team, that's fine."

The moment he was told that he would be left out, Labuschagne's immediate thoughts were on the Ashes series with Australia not scheduled to play any Tests prior to that. To strengthen his case now, Labuschagne will also have three Sheffield Shield games before the marquee series apart from the ODIs. "It was tough because you never want to be dropped," he looked back. "But almost as soon as their (selectors) words came out my mind shifted straight away to, 'Okay, how am I playing the Ashes ... how do I make that happen?'."

However, being left out gave Labuschagne an opportunity to sit back and reflect on his game, as per his own admission. "This has given me an opportunity to reflect and not having the pressure of the media saying, 'Marnus has got to go', he said. "I mean that's part of the game. There is a tipping point but it's something I thrive on... proving the doubters wrong and being able to find a way. Missing those West Indies Tests gave me the chance to back and think, 'This is where I want to be and this is how I'm going to get there'."