"I would love to…"- Marnus Labuschagne makes himself available as opener for The Ashes 2025-26

Marnus Labuschagne was dropped from the Australian squad in their last test series against the West Indies.

Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne is eyeing a comeback in the test team for the forthcoming The Ashes 2025-26, which will begin in November. The right-handed batsman said that he would be happy to take the opening slot during the much-awaited series.

Notably, Labuschagne played as an opener for Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final against South Africa in June, which they lost by five wickets. The right-handed batter opened the batting with Usman Khawaja in the summit clash, but failed to score big.

However, he was later dropped from the test squad during the recently-concluded test series against the West Indies. In Labuschagne’s absence, Cameron Green captured the No.3 batting position.

I would be happy to do that: Marnus Labuschagne on opening for Australia in tests

While speaking to News Corp, Marnus said that he would prefer to open for Australia in tests during The Ashes 2025-26.

“If you had asked me where I prefer to bat, obviously I have batted at three my whole career, but at this stage you don’t get a choice,” he said.

“I opened in the World Test Championship final and felt I batted quite well. I got in but did not go on with it. I would be happy to do that. I would love to. If opener is where I need to bat to be playing in the Test team, that’s fine,” he added.

Notably, Marnus scored 17 and 22 in both innings during the ICC WTC 2023-25 final. He is part of the Australian squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. Hence, he will have a chance to prove his value in the batting department. Moreover, the 31-year-old will also play three games in the Sheffield Shield ahead of The Ashes 2025-26.

Speaking about his snub from the West Indies tests, Labuschagne said he started thinking about making a comeback in The Ashes as soon as he learnt about the selectors’ decision.

“It was tough because you never want to be dropped. But almost as soon as their (selectors) words came out my mind shifted straight away to, ‘Okay, how am I playing the Ashes … how do I make that happen?,” he said.

Meanwhile, The Ashes 2025-26 will commence on November 21 with the opening test scheduled to take place in Perth. The fifth and final encounter will be played from January 4 to January 8, 2026, in Sydney. The much-awaited test series will be Australia’s second campaign in the ICC WTC 2025-27 cycle.

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