Australian middle-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne has offered to open in place of the injured David Warner, who has been ruled out of the 3rd and final ODI of the three-match series between Australia and India.
Warner has also been ruled out from the upcoming T20I series between the two nations as well. D’Arcy Short has been drafted in the Aussie squad as his replacement.
"If I got asked to open the batting absolutely it's an opportunity that I would enjoy doing. We'll wait and see how our team shapes up for the next game and see the balance of the side, but yeah I would love doing it," Marnus said in a press conference.
The 26-year-old, who made 70 runs of 60 balls in the last game said, "My role at No.4 is just to read the situation of the game and play my role accordingly.”
Saying that his role while batting with Steve Smith, who scored two back to back 62 ball centuries was just to rotate the strike and build a partnership, was pleasantly surprised with the batting of his senior pro.
"We had Steve in so when I came to the crease it was just about building a partnership and a bit of momentum with him, and taking a back seat for the start of my innings,” he said.
"That was one of the best innings I've seen in one-day cricket, not only from Steve but from anyone. I think the way he batted yesterday was superb. It almost felt like he didn't give an opportunity, didn't really take any risk, but he got a hundred off 62 balls,” he added.
Powered by Froala Editor