Sheffield Shield: Marnus Labuschagne could open for Queensland as Usman Khawaja not playing against WA

Queenslander Marnus Labuschagne may get the chance to open the batting against Western Australia next week, in what could be a major hint to his place in the XI for the first Ashes Test. Veteran opener Usman Khawaja on Thursday ruled himself out of the Sheffield Shield match at the WACA Ground, confirming it was a pre-planned move in preparation for the series opener against England on November 21. And while Labuschagne has earned his place back in the Test squad with five centuries to start the domestic season batting at first drop, he could get some practice in opening against the red-ball. “I’m not playing next game and I will just go over to WA and prepare,” he told the ABC. “I’m quite lucky, I’ve played the last three shield games, got to bat a bit doing a hitout. “And then I’m just getting ready ahead of that first Test match.” The Bulls fly into Perth over the weekend for the fourth round of shield action, commencing on Tuesday, with Khawaja set to fly over with the team. Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald appears the most likely option to partner Khawaja at the top of the order against England after earning his maiden Test squad call-up. But the door is still open for a makeshift opener, with doubts surrounding Cam Green. Green will play against Queensland this week and is expected to carry an increased bowling load to prove he is back to full all-rounder fitness after undergoing a spinal fusion last year. However, after bowling just four overs in the opening shield clash, Green was withdrawn from the one-day international series with India due to side soreness. The West Australian played as a specialist batter for WA against the reigning champions, South Australia, last week, but there are doubts over his ability to do so at Test level, despite a promising stint at No. 3 against the West Indies in July. Khawaja also declared Weatherald as the most deserving of the opener slot in the extended squad, while adding he felt there were no “surprises” in the squad. “There wasn’t any surprises,” he said. “Marnus batted beautifully, everyone expected him to be there. Jake, an outstanding performance like the last couple of years. He’s, when you go on numbers, is truly the most deserved opener to be there. “I was kind of expecting Jake to be there, so it was business as usual, really.”