Moreover, Labuschagne was discussed as the first option to replace David Warner at the top of the order when the left-hander retired against Pakistan in January last year. Instead, vice-captain Steve Smith bid successfully for the role, but has since resettled into his customary number four position with fruitful results. After welcoming the arrival of his second child, Labuschagne is soon to travel to the UK to play county cricket for Glamorgan ahead of the WTC. Australia’s available players are to convene in Brisbane early next week for a pre-tour camp at the National Cricket Centre. At the same time, the return of Cameron Green to fitness, albeit as a batter only, is likely to afford him a quick return to the Test side after he proved his ability to bat time after back surgery with a century for Gloucestershire in the County Championship. That makes Konstas and Josh Inglis the most likely batting squad members to miss out on a place against the Proteas, even though both made significant recent contributions to the Test team.