"I've seen him build innings…"- David Warner urges Australia to open with Sam Konstas in Ashes 2025-26, backs Marnus Labuschagne to play at No.3

David Warner feels Sam Konstas has been outstanding for Australia A in recent times.

Former Australian opener David Warner wants Sam Konstas to be part of the Australia squad for the Ashes 2025-26. He also backed Marnus Labuschagne to bat at three in the series, saying that he is capable of doing great things.

The Ashes 2025-26 will begin on November 21 with the opening game at Perth Cricket Stadium in Perth. Australia Cricket Team and England Cricket Team will lock horns in five matches, which will also be part of the ICC World test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.

Ahead of the Ashes 2025-26, Australia are scheduled to play an ODI and T20I series against Indian Cricket Team at home. The three-match ODI series will be played from October 19 to 25, while the five-match T20I series will take place from October 29 to November 8.

David Warner urges Australia to play Sam Konstas in The Ashes 2025-26

While speaking to ESPN Cricinfo at Kayo Sports’ Summer of Cricket launch in Sydney, Australian batting legend Warner said he would want Australia to try Sam Konstas as opener in the Ashes 2025-26 as he impressed with his recent performances for Australia A. He made his international debut in November last year during Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 and has played five tests so far.

“I’d like them to try and probably stick with Sam and give him a crack. He scored that hundred in the Australian A series [in India last month]. He batted outstandingly there. I don’t think we’ve seen exactly what we know Sam Konstas can do,” he said.

“Last year… he probably got overwhelmed by the occasion and we saw some very highlighted cricket. But I’ve seen him build innings, I’ve seen him play some fantastic innings and I’d like to see him go back to just doing that,” he added.

Warner also backed Labuschagne to take the No.3 position for Australia during the campaign.

“I think when you’ve got a lot of Test cricket under your belt, you know what he’s capable of and know what he can do. If someone’s averaging 50 in Test cricket, you’ve probably got to go back to that. Does he open? I wouldn’t like to see him open. I’d like him to shuffle back down to three,” Warner said.

Notably, Konstas hammered a century against India A in the unofficial test series recently and played a great role for his side in the BGT 2024-25. On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne has been struggling with the form of late and was recently dropped from the side as well. It remains to be seen if he gets opportunity in the Ashes or not.

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