Despite enjoying the rigours of batting at No.4 in the ongoing ODI series, Australia's Marnus Labuschagne said he won't mind another shift in the order. The talented right-hand batsman put his hands up for the opening slot in case the team management requires him to fill the void left by David Warner's untimely injury.
In-form Warner has been rested from the final one-dayer as well as the upcoming T20I series after picking up a groin injury while fielding during the second ODI at the SCG on Sunday (November 29).
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With Australia desperate for the explosive left-hander to be available for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Labuschagne won't mind filling-in for him in the interim.
"Certainly, if I got asked to open the batting absolutely," Labuschagne said in the post-match press conference, as quoted by PTI. "It's an opportunity that I would enjoy taking. 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."
"My role at No 4 is just to read the situation of the game and play my role accordingly. He is a strong character and he will come back. Also, his absence is an opportunity for someone else."
Easily the most promising young batsman to emerge from the system down under in recent years, Labuschagne has dominated the Test match game since last season and is gradually cementing his position in the ODIs as well.
He struck an intelligent knock of 70 in just 61 balls in the penultimate ODI and played his part in sealing the series 2-0, with a game to spare on Wednesday (December 2).
But the starring role in Australia's 51-run victory was again played by Steve Smith, who blazed his willow for another superlative hundred (105).
"That was one of the best innings I've seen in one-day cricket, not only from Steve but from anyone," said Labuschagne.
"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. When someone's doing that, that's kind of scary," he added for his inspiration with whom he shared a fantastic stand.
"It was really nice to build that partnership with him, 136, it was just nice to keep ticking it over and we were really busy through that middle part when we came together. Then towards the back end, Steve really took the game on and that's how we got 390."
"They're two very big scores in the last two games, thanks obviously to Steve."
