Steve Smith has backed Marnus Labuschagne to make the transition to Test opener, with the Queenslander taking on his advice to think less and just bat.

It comes as the stand-in skipper also revealed injured quick Pat Cummins had yet to start bowling again as he works through lumbar bone stress in his lower back.

Labuschagne appears almost certain to be part of Australia’s team for the first Test in Perth next month, after peeling off four centuries in six innings for Queensland.

The main question remains where the right-hander will bat, and if selectors will opt to bring him back at No.3 or use him to partner Usman Khawaja at the top.

The veteran knows the challenge of moving up to open better than most, having averaged 28.5 in four Tests when he volunteered for the role in 2024.

But

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