Former Test opener David Warner has cautioned against Marnus Labuschagne facing the new ball during this summer's Ashes campaign, encouraging national selectors to persist with the struggling Sam Konstas.
Labuschagne and Konstas are fighting for spots in Australia's starting XI for the blockbuster series against England, with Sheffield Shield performances helping determine the team's make-up.
The Queenslander, who was dropped ahead of Australia's recent Frank Worrell Trophy campaign against the West Indies in the Caribbean, looks poised for a Test recall after starting his summer with three hundreds in four matches for the Bulls.
"He's doing all the right things," Australian captain Pat Cummins said of Labuschagne.
"Three hundreds in his last four knocks, (he's) proven at Test level.
"Watching a few of the highlights, it looks like he's really busy, showing that intent, which I think when he's at his best.
"He's doing well."
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Speaking at the Fox Cricket Launch on Monday morning, Warner declared that Labuschagne's prior experience and success in the Test arena puts him firmly in contention for next month's Ashes series opener.
"Marnus has obviously come out of the blocks very well," Warner told reporters.
"When you've got a lot of Test cricket under your belt, you know what he's capable of and you know what he can do.
"When someone's averaging 50 in Test cricket, you've probably got to go back to that."
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Labuschagne was Australia's permanent Test No. 3 for several years before he was promoted to opener for June's World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's posting scores of 17 and 22.
Although the right-hander has multiple hundreds opening the batting at first-class level, Warner suggested the 31-year-old was better suited at first drop, where he has scored each of his 11 Test centuries.
"I wouldn't like to see him open," Warner said, adding that it would force national selectors to make some "tough decisions" on which middle-order batter misses out.
"I'd like him to shuffle back down to three."
Labuschagne's return to No. 3 would push either Cameron Green or Beau Webster out of the Australian starting XI, both of whom are proven match-winners in the Test arena. Green is recognised as one of country's best talents, while Webster has hardly put a put wrong since earning his baggy green in January.
Although Green is expected to be available as a bowler during the Ashes, Cummins saw no reason why both all-rounders couldn't fit into the same side.
"We've had two all rounders in the team before, we've had two wicketkeepers in the team before," Cummins said.
"Both have done brilliantly for us over the last year.
"If you're an all-rounder, that should work for you, not against you."
Meanwhile, Warner called for Konstas to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja for the Ashes despite a recent dip in form. The young New South Welshman, who turned 20 last week, endured a torrid tour of the West Indies, accumulating 50 runs at 8.33 across the three Tests.
He slapped hundreds during last month's NSW intra-squad match in Sydney and the Australia A tour of India before posting scores of 4 and 14 during the Blues' Sheffield Shield opener against Western Australia in Perth.
"I'd like them to try and stick with Sam, give him a crack," Warner continued.
"He scored that hundred in the Australian A series. I thought he batted outstandingly there.
"I don't think we've seen exactly what we know Sam Konstas can do.
"It's a short-term fix if they want to try and find someone else ... but there's no reason why Sam Konstas can't do that."
However, former Australian batter Mark Waugh disagreed with Warner's preferred Ashes starting XI, declaring that Labuschagne has the technique to succeed as an opener this summer.
"He's probably the front-runner at the moment. I'd open the batting with Labuschagne," Waugh said.
"He's found his mojo again, which is important for him because he's a bit of a deep thinker. Confidence means the world to him.
"He's is still one of the best six batters in Australia."
Waugh also called for superstar Steve Smith to slide up to first drop against England, allowing for Green to slot down in the middle order.
Green batted at No. 3 for the World Test Championship final and the West Indies tour, scoring 188 runs at 23.50 across four matches. Although the West Australian gradually settled into the unfamiliar role throughout the winter, he has been far more effective in the middle order, most notably when he slapped a career-best 174 batting at No. 4 during last year's Test tour of New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Smith already boasts eight Test hundreds batting at No. 3 in Tests, averaging 67.07 at first drop.
"I think Green's probably better at No. 4," Waugh added.
"I'd prefer Smith at No. 3 rather than Cameron Green. Green's game's not quite there for a No. 3 just yet, particularly if he's bowling."
Elsewhere, former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist believes Labuschagne could bat anywhere in the top order, adding that Konstas was "still in the running" to make his Ashes debut this summer.
"Currency is runs, and Marnus has put his hand up," Gilchrist said.
"What position remains to be seen. I'm really not sure which way they're going to go.
"He probably could play in either role. Technically, the requirements are very similar in regards to being able to leave the ball and occupy the crease. He's proven that he can do that.
"After the West Indies (tour), a lot of people had written Konstas off, that maybe he's not the option, but I do think he's well and truly in the running still."
The first Ashes Test between Australia and England gets underway at Perth Stadium on November 21.