Marnus Labuschagne is set to pass up the opportunity to open for Queensland ahead of the Ashes, instead backing himself to make his selection case at No.3 for the Bulls.

Labuschagne is the early frontrunner to open with Usman Khawaja in next month's first Test in Perth, after shooting out of the blocks with three centuries in his past four innings.

Those runs have all come while batting at No.3 for Queensland in different formats, with Khawaja and fellow hopeful Matt Renshaw at the top of the order.

Renshaw will miss this week's Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia while in Australia's ODI squad, theoretically opening the door for Labuschagne to open in Adelaide.

But as of Tuesday it was expected Australia A opener Angus Lovell would come back into the Bulls side to partner Khaw

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