Justin Langer says Marnus Labuschagne could open to take pressure off prospective debutant Nathan McSweeney

Cricket legend Justin Langer says Australia should move Marnus Labuschagne to the top of the order against India if selectors opt to debut Nathan McSweeney for the West Test in Perth.

Langer, who opened the batting for Australia for much of his 105-Test career after starting at No.3, said moving Labuschagne from his usual position at first drop would help take the pressure off the debutant and was not a huge leap for the incumbent.

It comes as Langer says the boat has likely sailed on fellow West Australian Cam Bancroft’s hopes of Test redemption, at least for now.

Australia have been hunting for an opening bat since David Warner retired at the SCG in January, initially throwing middle-order run-machine Steve Smith into the breach for series against West Indies and New Zealand.

But a lean return outside of an unbeaten 90 in a lost cause, and injury to all-rounder Cam Green, has seen Smith shuffled back down to his traditional slot at four.

It has left selectors watching a bat-off between Bancroft, Victoria’s Marcus Harris, New South Welshman Sam Konstas and South Australia’s skipper McSweeney.

McSweeney was the only one to impress against India A in Mackay, top-scoring in both innings, including a second-innings 88 not out.

“The one that is putting his hand up is Nathan McSweeney. Whether he opens or perhaps Marnus Labuschagne moves to open,” Langer told The West Australian.

“It’s easy to go from three to open, easier than four, five, six to open. I feel that if you bat in the top three, you can bat anywhere, but if you bat down, it’s very hard to go up and open, and not many people do that.

“We’ve seen David Boon go from three to open, I did it myself, so Marnus could open and take the pressure off McSweeney if he comes in.

“(McSweeney’s) certainly doing everything possible to put his name up there. If you can come in (making your debut) in form and making runs, you give yourself a chance.”

Langer initially felt Bancroft had the runs behind him to earn a national recall, but after another poor outing with Australia A on top of a horror start to his Sheffield Shield campaign, he said the opener would know himself he hadn’t been good enough to play against India.

“I felt on pure weight of runs (he was the man), but he knows runs are the only currency of value, and he’s been very lean this summer,” Langer said.

“He knows that. He had to grab hold of that Australia A game.”