Marnus Labuschagne just made his fifth century in eight innings before first Test

It is almost certain that 20-year-old Konstas will miss selection in the squad, which is expected to include around 15 players. He remains optimistic but accepts his international career is likely to be paused after Sheffield Shield scores of 4, 14, 0, 53, 10 and 41 for NSW.

Jake Weatherald and Matt Renshaw are in the top tier along with Usman Khawaja and each have well-placed backers. Weatherald has been the Sheffield Shield’s best proactive opener last season and season three and manages the pace of bowling with aplomb. Renshaw has already shown his talent at Test level and, as Khawaja’s provincial teammate, has a strong understanding with the incumbent.

Labuschagne believes some time away from the Tests could help Konstas in the long run.

“It was something that had to happen for me to get to where I am today,” Labuschagne said. “When you’re still playing and being scrutinized, it’s hard to get clear on where you want your game to be and how you want to do it. It was something that really had to happen for me to find my best.”

“Sammy is very talented. We have seen that. He is young. This is first-class cricket and it is not easy, especially batting at the top. He will learn his game.”

“Once he really learns his game, learns when to attack, defend and take all those shots, I think he’s a very good player for Australia.

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“Whatever happens for him, I have no doubt he will be a future player for Australia and it’s about getting the people around him to support him. He’ll figure it out.”

Labuschagne said it was not clear whether he would open at No 3 or play at No 3 against England but believed the balance could be determined by whether Australia needed to play one or both of Cameron Green or Beau Webster.

Asked if he had run out of runs too early in the season, Labuschagne replied: “Never. I feel like every time you bat bad, you’re always like, ‘God, I need to get that rhythm and feel it.’ Once you get it, you guard it like it’s gold.”

“I never believed that because I think it’s a habit. If you’re batting well and scoring runs, it’s a habit.”

Meanwhile, England pacers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer arrived in Perth ahead of the Ashes and the England Test squad and Lions players will begin training in the west from Wednesday.

Wood, the best bowler for England in each of the last two Ashes series, was particularly keen to exploit the pace and steep bounce of the Perth Stadium pitch.

“That’s what we’re here for, so I can’t wait to bring home the win,” Wood said on arrival in Perth. “I’ve played here before, it was fast and flexible, hopefully that will work for us.

“We are here to win. Both teams are playing entertaining cricket so I think it will be a great series.”

Archer, who featured in England’s 0-3 rout against New Zealand in the ODI series that ended at the weekend, will not bowl until the entire Ashes squad meets on Monday.

Meanwhile, Cummins’ mentor Dennis Lillee has issued an Ashes warning for Australia’s top six. While he is confident Australia’s bowling attack will be capable of causing damage to England’s rampant top six, he is skeptical about the hosts’ ability to score enough runs.

Lillee said on ABC Radio: “Our bowling is excellent, England’s bowling is generally untested on our wickets.” “Bowling on softer turf in England is slightly easier than bowling on the hard WACA, Sydney and Melbourne wickets.

“Their innings may be a bit hit and miss but if they go, they go. We have problems in the top order of our innings. We have to be very careful, if we don’t take care of ourselves we could be 3-15 and we could be 170 runs behind.”