The world's No.1-ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne has backed under-pressure opener David Warner to rediscover his best in Australia's showdown with South Africa.
Labuschagne will enter the first Test at the Gabba, starting on Saturday, in the form of his career after plundering 502 runs in just two matches against West Indies.
But Warner's summer has started in completely opposite fashion, failing to pass 50 against the Windies to continue his Test century drought dating back to January 2020.
The recently-completed series coincided with Warner's frustration boiling over about the handling of the review into his lifetime leadership ban on the eve of the Adelaide Test.
Warner is also preparing to face South Africa for the first time at Test level since the infamous ball-tampering scandal in 2018.
However, Labuschagne could not fault the 36-year-old's attitude ahead of battling the Proteas.
"Davey has been terrific around the group. He's always brings the energy," Labuschagne said on Wednesday.
"He knows what his role in the team is ... he's got a great record against South Africa and he's going to be looking to put the pressure on and do what he does best.
"You don't become one of the greatest openers Australia's seen not being a consistent performer.
"He's had many things thrown in amongst his career, there's been many things that have tried to sort of push him in certain directions, but he always seems to find a way to come on top."
Labuschagne will be playing South Africa, the country of his birth, for the first time at Test level and was not on the infamous tour there in 2018.
But the 28-year-old is optimistic Sandpapergate will be a non-issue between the teams on field.
"We've sort of buried that, it's something of the past and moving forward, I don't think either team is really going to delve into that part," he said.
Warner has declared he wants to continue playing red-ball cricket until at least the end of next year's Ashes, having never won a Test series in India or England.
But he will need to start performing at Test level soon, having struggled away from home in recent times.
Australia coach Andrew McDonald backed Warner in when asked about him this week but was cautious not to declare the left-hander completely safe.
"At this stage, we've got him in our plans for India," McDonald said.
"We'll see what happens in the next three Test matches, but at this stage he's firmly in our thoughts for India."
