Justin Langer, the former Australian coach, has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Marnus Labuschagne's place in the national Test side, offering a candid perspective on the player's future. With Australia grappling with a transitional phase in their top order, Langer's insights carry considerable weight, especially given his history of handing Labuschagne his Test debut in 2018.

Labuschagne's position has come under scrutiny after a recent lean patch, exacerbated by his promotion to open the batting in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa. His scores of 17 and 22 in that match contributed to a two-year Test Championship average of just 27.82, a significant drop from his career average of 46.19. Despite these struggles, Langer has made it clear that he believes Labuschagne is a vital component of the Australian team and that dropping him would be detrimental to the development of the next generation of Test batsmen.

Langer emphasized the importance of stability and experience in the batting lineup, particularly with the impending departures of veterans like David Warner and Usman Khawaja, who are 38, and the aging Steve Smith, who is 36. He sees Labuschagne as a crucial link in the chain, especially with Travis Head typically batting further down the order. "Marnus is a 50-Test player," Langer stated, highlighting Labuschagne's established record and potential for future contributions.

Langer also cautioned against prematurely introducing inexperienced players into the Test arena. He pointed out that potential replacements like Sam Konstas have limited first-class experience, with only two first-class centuries, both achieved in the same game. Langer stressed that newcomers should be "smacking the door down" with exceptional performances before being considered for selection, especially in high-pressure series like the Ashes. He added, "I say this with absolute respect, but these new guys coming in, they're not averaging 50 (in first-class cricket)."

Langer's support for Labuschagne extends beyond mere statistics. He has consistently praised Labuschagne's work ethic, dedication, and coachability. In the past, Langer has described Labuschagne as the "most coachable player" he has encountered, emphasizing his willingness to learn and his deep passion for the game. He also highlighted Labuschagne's close relationship with Steve Smith, noting how the two frequently discuss and analyze cricket together, further contributing to Labuschagne's development.

While acknowledging Labuschagne's recent struggles, Langer urged the Australian team management to focus on helping him regain his form. He believes that Labuschagne has the potential to be a world-class player and that investing in his development is crucial for the team's long-term success. "If I was the Australian team, I'd be focusing – and I'm sure they are – all their attention on getting Marnus to come good in however that is," Langer said. It is expected that Labuschagne will return to the number 3 position in the upcoming test matches against the West Indies.