Greg Chappell has come down hard on Australia’s selection strategy for the upcoming Ashes series against England. The former captain believes the selectors have made a risky decision by planning to move Marnus Labuschagne up to open the batting, calling their approach overly conservative and potentially damaging.​

The Opening Dilemma

Australia included specialist opener Jake Weatherald in the squad for the first Test in Perth, but Chappell believes the selectors intend to ignore him. Instead, they appear set on sending Labuschagne to open alongside Usman Khawaja, allowing all-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster to both feature in the playing eleven.​

“Opening with Labuschagne is extremely risky. He should bat at three, as that is his specialist spot, where he has delivered prolifically,” Chappell wrote in his ESPNcricinfo column. The former captain suggested this move reveals the selectors don’t have a specialist opener they trust, or that Green and Webster cannot handle the bowling workload required in Test cricket.​

Why the Number Three Position Matters

Chappell drew comparisons with Australian legends to make his point. Ian Chappell and Ricky Ponting were exceptional at number three for Australia, but that doesn’t mean they would have succeeded as openers. While they often batted early, the mindset needed to open is different.​

The former captain praised Labuschagne’s recent return to form. After spending seasons batting defensively, trying not to get out, Labuschagne has rediscovered the attacking intent he showed early in his Test career. Chappell warned that batting him out of position could undo this progress and short-circuit his return to top form.​

Mitchell Marsh as the Better Option

Chappell made a strong case for Mitchell Marsh to open instead, calling it a left-field choice with genuine merit. Perth is Marsh’s home ground, where he grew up and understands the bounce better than anyone. He’s one of Australia’s best pace players and could bowl meaningful overs to support the frontline quicks.​

This option addresses multiple problems at once—it keeps Labuschagne at his preferred number three spot and adds bowling depth without compromising batting positions.

The Domino Effect

If Labuschagne opens, the problems multiply down the order. Cameron Green would be forced to bat at number three again, a position he’s not suited for. Suddenly, Australia’s batting order becomes dangerously unbalanced.​

Chappell expects Green to eventually settle into the number four position, where he belongs. If fit, Green will need to bowl important overs, meaning he needs time to prepare mentally for batting rather than padding up immediately.​

A Conservative Trap

The harshest criticism came when Chappell accused the selectors of boxing themselves into a corner. Over the past year, they’ve avoided bold decisions, leaving themselves with only conservative options now. They were risk-averse in picking the team, missing an opportunity at one of cricket’s unique venues.​

“Being risk-averse is not being risk-free,” Chappell wrote. By sticking with familiar choices, Australia’s selectors might have invited the very problems they tried to avoid. Perth demanded courage, the Ashes demand it, but the selectors chose safety instead.​

The England Threat

England have brought seven fast bowlers to Australia, prioritizing pace over spin. They believe Australia’s batting line-up is fragile and plan to exploit it with speed. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are expected to play in Perth and Brisbane before England rotates their pace options.​

If both Archer and Wood are fully fit, they could surprise Australia on Perth’s pace-friendly surface. Few batters enjoy facing genuine pace, and having three or four bowlers operating above 140 kph puts enormous pressure on the batting side. Australia’s aging lineup might struggle if England’s attack clicks.​

The first Ashes Test starts on November 21 in Perth. Australia’s selection decisions will be tested immediately against an England side committed to pace and aggression. Chappell’s concerns about batting players out of position could prove prophetic if things go wrong early.​

The selectors now face a choice—stick with their conservative plan or make the bold call Chappell advocates for. With the Ashes on the line, the margin for error is thin. As Chappell put it, “A ship is safe in harbour, but that is not what ships are for”.​