The West Test: Marnus Labuschagne set for switch to medium pace bowling for series opener

Marnus Labuschagne is firming to make his switch from leg-spin to medium pace official in a shock move in The West Test. Labuschagne, who has bowled only his wrist-spin previously in Test matches, has spent the opening weeks of the Sheffield Shield season — including a clash with Western Australia in Perth — bowling seam-up. He bowled a long spell in the Optus Stadium nets on Tuesday, hinting he could be in the frame to bowl, before Cummins confirmed he is a genuine option on Wednesday. The Australian captain also hinted they could use Labuschagne as part of a short-ball assault. The batter worked hard on his short balls and hitting back-of-a-length at training this week. “He is always trying to impress with the ball, which is great, he loves bowling,” Cummins said. “He is one of those guys, as we know, he always wants to be involved, which is great, you wish you had 11 of those guys in a team. “He has bowled some handy overs for Queensland, obviously he has got leg-spin, bowled a bit of off-spin in the pace and this year it has been on to pace bowling. “I’m sure he’ll get the ball at some stage. He’s been bowling quite a few bouncers as well, so maybe that is something we will turn to at some point as well.” The enthusiastic batter didn’t bowl on Thursday as part of Australia’s optional training session, but he did jump in and take catches at second slip, despite a likely start at gully in Friday’s Test.