India, June 10 -- The Australian team has decided to go ahead with Marnus Labuschagne to partner up with Usman Khawaja for the opening position in the World Test Championship final against South Africa. The defending WTC champions have failed to find a solution for the big gap at the opening slot since the retirement of David Warner 17 months ago.

Steve Smith was the first one who put his hands up for the big role after Warner's retirement, but the move didn't pan out well and he was dropped to his old position at number after just four Tests. Nathan McSweeney got the chance to fill in the big shoes in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but he failed to get going against Jasprit Bumrah and Co. Sam Konstas was thrust into the side during the hom...