Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne may have to wait to make his T20I debut despite a dazzling start to the tour of England, according to captain Aaron Finch.
Labuschagne, a breakout star of last year’s drawn Ashes campaign in England, scored 100 off 51 balls when opening in a T20 practice game on Tuesday.
But with Finch and David Warner established as an opening pair and star batsman Steve Smith a powerful presence in the top order, the 26-year-old may be unable to force his way into Australia’s side to play England.
The first game in a three-match T20 series between the two top-ranked teams in the format takes place in Southampton on Friday.
“We’re pretty settled with how we structure our T20 side at the moment,” Finch told a conference call on Thursday. “He (Labuschagne) played nicely the other day, but I think he might have to wait a little bit longer in T20 cricket.”
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey struck 107 in the same innings as Labuschagne, while all-rounder Glenn Maxwell hit 108 in a 50-over warm-up match.
Top-ranked T20 side Australia also face England, the world champions in 50-over cricket, in three one-day internationals later this month.
“It’s been a really good hit out the last few days,” said Finch. “Obviously with Maxwell getting a hundred, Marnus, Alex Carey all getting hundreds in two different formats is really pleasing.”
Desperate to beat
England pacer Mark Wood has said the team is desperate to beat their Ashes rivals in the upcoming limited overs series.
“It’s always good when you play for England — don’t get me wrong — but there’s an extra incentive when you play Australia — your biggest rivals,” Sky Sports quoted Wood as telling reporters.
“They’re desperate to beat you; you’re desperate to beat them. It doesn’t matter if it’s Ashes, white-ball, T20; we’ll be desperate to beat them.”