IND vs AUS | Would enjoy opening the batting but we will have to wait and see, reveals Marnus Labuschagne

While Australia walked away with a decisive victory to set up an ODI series win against India, they lost one of their star players - David Warner in the second ODI - with an apparent groin injury. The opener who made a valiant attempt to pick up the ball in the field had to walk off gingerly, which has also ruled him out of the remainder of the white-ball series, with Cricket Australia even roping in a replacement in the form of D’Arcy Short, who has donned the role in the past. 

He also called it an ‘opportunity’ for someone else to step up in the strong Australian top order and make runs. With David Warner and Aaron Finch having laid the platform in the first two wins, their partnership would have been key for setting up the T20I series. 

Warner’s injury also put him on a race against time to be fit for the first Test at the Adelaide Oval, with Joe Burns and Will Pucovski looking favourites to walk out as the openers. Queensland teammate Labuschagne reckoned that Burns is not too far away from a couple of big scores. He also praised the right-hander for being a handy part of their successful summer last year. 

“Joe’s averaging 40 in test cricket, so he’s certainly established and he’s got four test hundreds. He’s a very good player,” said Labuschagne.