Marnus twist, surprise ‘wildcard’ looms as likely Aussie XI for Ashes opener revealed

Marnus Labuschagne is tipped to open for Australia in the first Ashes Test with the likely XI being reported.

And Beau Webster looks set for a selection reprieve with questions remaining over Cameron Green’s full availability.

Labuschagne’s excellent form across the opening months of the season will be rewarded with a Test return according to ex-cricketer and Seven journalist Theo Doropoulos.

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But it’ll come alongside Usman Khawaja, rather than at his preferred No.3, as opening candidates failed repeatedly through the recent Sheffield Shield rounds.

Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald had a poor match against Victoria at the Junction Oval while Labuschagne’s teammate Matt Renshaw doesn’t appear to have done enough to warrant a return, and NSW’s teen sensation Sam Konstas looks set to be told to bide his time at state level.

The rollercoaster race for the West Test has even seen Mitch Marsh heavily considered for a return despite the T20 captain saying he has been focusing on the white-ball formats.

Code Sports reports Marsh looms as a “wildcard option they were keeping up their sleeve for later in the series”, but selectors are set to pick a more “conventional” red-ball opener.

“But take it as read Australia is actively considering Marsh as a potential Ashes opening option: at the very least, for later in the series, should England’s fast bowlers be causing problems and selectors feel they need to throw a disrupter into the mix,” Ben Horne’s report stated.

Meanwhile Doropoulos’ report stated “as it stands” Green will stay at No.3 despite his indifferent form, with Steve Smith and Travis Head following, before impressive all-rounder Beau Webster at No.6.

The Tasmanian missed the first two Shield rounds and appeared at risk of being pushed out of the side if Green is available as an all-rounder.

The remainder of the Australian line-up is almost certain with Alex Carey to don the gloves and Scott Boland tipped to take the place of the injured Pat Cummins.

The first Test gets underway on November 21 in Perth.

AUSTRALIA’S LIKELY ASHES FIRST TEST XI

Usman Khawaja

Marnus Labuschagne

Cameron Green

Steve Smith

Travis Head

Beau Webster

Alex Carey

Mitchell Starc

Scott Boland

Nathan Lyon

Josh Hazlewood