Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
đ» How to tune into Sport Nation
England warned: Lose Perth, you lose the Ashes
SENÂ âą Â October 20th, 2025 11:18 am
Perth will be the most important Test of the forthcoming Ashes series and Marnus Labuschagne must open for Australia, says Ian Healy.
Itâs been a rollercoaster of a year for Labuschagne who was dropped in favour of Sam Konstas after the World Test Championship in June.
But it seems his hiatus from the West Indies Tour a month later was a blessing in disguise with Labuschagne in terrific form so far this Shield season and getting a late call up to Australiaâs One Day team.
The Queenslander has four centuries in all formats in the past month, which Healy says is more than enough for him to be opening against England in Perth on November 21.
âIâm very happy with Marnusâ form, heâs back,â Healy said on SENQ Breakfast.
âMarnus can open and heâs happy to go wherever selectors want him. Iâve got him at 1 and Khawaja at 2. Konstas comes in when Uzzie retires.â
Given the paucity of options for openers, Healy is backing Labuschagne to make his mark on this series with Cam Green at 3, Smith at 4, Head 5 and Webster in at 6.
Australiaâs one-day victory against India overnight should also be sounding alarm bells withing the England team, according to Healy, who believes the visitors are coming in underdone and underestimating the surface at Optus Stadium.
âEngland will win a test,â he added. â(But) you will see how you look when youâre under done in Perth â I hope England watch it.
âIt was swinging and bouncing. All the batsmen were playing outrageous shots and getting caught.
âEngland watch out, youâre doing the same thing. Theyâre coming in under done and our fast bowlers looked fresh and sharp last night.
âEngland watch out, youâre doing the same thing. Theyâre coming in under done and our fast bowlers looked fresh and sharp last night.
âAre England going to win a Test? Yes, but I think it will be close, maybe 2-2.
âPerth is the most important Test. If England lose in Perth they will lose 3-1. Win in Perth itâs 2-2.â
