Whitney Urges Steve Smith to Swap Labuschagne to Opener to Bolster Bowling

Former Australian Test fast bowler Mike Whitney believes the host nation remains firmly in the box seat for the Ashes opener, despite the monumental losses of captain Pat Cummins and gun quick Josh Hazlewood due to injury.

However, Whitney has strongly urged stand-in captain Steve Smith and selectors to immediately rethink the batting order to bolster the depleted bowling attack.

To compensate for the absence of the two frontline pacemen, Whitney contends that Australia must pick both pace-bowling all-rounders, Cameron Green and Beau Webster. This requires a structural shift at the top of the order:

Marnus Labuschagne moves to open alongside Usman Khawaja.

Cameron Green slots in at number three.

Beau Webster takes the number six spot.

Whitney, speaking to Wide World of Sports, admitted that while the loss of Hazlewood to a right hamstring strain is a “massive blow,” the key to victory now rests on maximizing the bowling options.

“In my assessment, being old-school… I would think that now Hazlewood is out, Marnus may open and they’ll carry the extra bowler. I think it’s then a more balanced team,” Whitney said.

He noted that Green, who recently bowled 16 overs in the Sheffield Shield, is a “fabulous player” whose ability to bowl 140km/h is an “absolute bonus” when the team is four or five wickets down.

With Cummins (back injury), Hazlewood (hamstring strain), and back-up quick Sean Abbott (hamstring strain) all ruled out, the attack will rely heavily on Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and confirmed debutant Brendan Doggett.

Whitney heavily endorsed the selection of the 31-year-old Doggett (190 first-class wickets at 26.46), praising his control and temperament.

“He’s gonna be backing up Boland and Starc. They’ll obviously take the new ball,” Whitney added. “I think he’s got the chops to do it.”