Aussie great’s left-field idea to quell England nemesis

Australian cricket great Ian Healy has warned that selecting too many left-handed batsmen could play into the hands of England paceman Stuart Broad.

Broad tormented David Warner bowling around the wicket in the 2019 Ashes series, claiming the opener seven times in 10 innings.

Broad, who has 524 Test wickets next to his nane, also dismissed Ashes hopeful Marcus Harris on three occasions in six innings that same series. Fellow left-handers Usman Khawaja and Travis Head are also vying for selection.

To form a left-hand/right-hand opening combination, Healy floated the idea of elevating Marnus Labuschagne to the top of the order to partner Warner.

“I think Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head are capable of playing more successfully than they have at the next level (Test cricket),” the champion wicketkeeper told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.

“Australia’s problem here is left-handers. We’ve got so many left-handers if they all make the side.

“One of Harris or Khawaja makes the opening spot and Travis Head bats at five. We’ve already got Warner in there.

“Stuart Broad loves bowling around the wicket to left-handers and we’ve got three or four we’re lining up for him. I think we have to be careful there.

“I might even think of opening Marnus Labuschagne. Labuschagne and Warner, then Khawaja, then Smith … Head five and Green six.

“I think we need to make better use of right-handers against Broad. We’ve got to be careful there and our lefties have to be good if they do get in the team.”

Healy would prefer to see Khawaja get the nod over Harris for the first Test with Will Pucovski likely to miss the start of the Ashes due to concussion concerns.