Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Greg Chappell Warns Australia Against Opening With Marnus Labuschagne in Ashes
A former cricket coach named Greg Chappell has given a warning to the Australian cricket team.
He thinks that Steve Smith, who will captain Australia for the first Ashes Test, should not let Marnus Labuschagne open the batting.
Chappell believes opening the batting is very different from batting in other positions and that Labuschagne is best suited for the number three spot.
Labuschagne tried opening in a recent series against India and didn't score many runs.
Even though Australia has picked a player who is a specialist opener, Chappell worries they might still ask Labuschagne to open.
He feels this would be a big mistake, similar to what happened before.
Australia wants to keep the Ashes trophy, and making the right decisions about player positions is important.
Greg Chappell has warned Australia against using Marnus Labuschagne as an opener in the upcoming Ashes 2025 series.
Chappell believes Labuschagne should bat at his specialist number three position, citing risks associated with opening.
Labuschagne averaged 25.78 as an opener in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia will be led by Steve Smith in the first Ashes Test as captain Pat Cummins is unavailable.
Despite selecting specialist opener Jake Weatherald, Chappell fears Australia might still deploy Labuschagne at the top of the order.
- Who
- Greg Chappell (former Australia player, ex-India coach) and Australian selectors/team management
- What
- Warning from Greg Chappell to Australia's captain Steve Smith and selectors regarding Marnus Labuschagne's batting position.
- When
- Ahead of the Ashes 2025 series.
- Where
- Australia
- Why
- Chappell believes opening with Labuschagne is risky and not his specialist position, citing his poor performance as an opener in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Greg Chappell's Stance
Potential Australian Strategy
Labuschagne's Batting Position
Greg Chappell's Stance
Marnus Labuschagne should bat at number three, which is his specialist position. Opening is extremely risky for him.
Potential Australian Strategy
Australia might consider opening with Labuschagne alongside Usman Khawaja, despite selecting a specialist opener.
Risk of Labuschagne Opening
Greg Chappell's Stance
Opening the batting requires a different mindset and Australia should avoid repeating the mistake made in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Potential Australian Strategy
Labuschagne is in good form and has been included in the squad, suggesting he could be considered for an opening role.
- Series
- The Ashes 2025
- Defending Champions
- Australia
- Captain for First Test
- Steve Smith (Pat Cummins unavailable)
- Labuschagne's Performance as Opener (Border-Gavaskar Trophy)
- 232 runs at an average of 25.78 in 5 matches/9 innings
- Specialist Opener Selected
- Jake Weatherald