Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne 'Happy' to back in Test Cricket
Marnus Labuschagne says he’s ready to open the batting for Australia if it helps him make a comeback to the Test team. Although he has been one of Australia’s most reliable batters in recent years, his recent poor form in Test cricket saw him dropped for the West Indies series.
Labuschagne is Back
Labuschagne is likely to play in the ODI series against South Africa this month, especially after Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell retired from the format. However, his main focus is on making a quick return to the Test team ahead of this summer’s home Ashes series. With Cameron Green taking over his preferred No.3 spot in the West Indies, the 31-year-old’s best chance might be opening the batting - especially since young Sam Konstas couldn’t make the most of his opportunity in the three Tests.
“If you’d asked me before, I’d say No.3 is my spot - I’ve batted there my whole career,” Labuschagne told News Corp. “But right now, you don’t always get to choose. I opened in the World Test Championship final and felt I did pretty well, even though I couldn’t convert my start into a big score. I’d be happy to open again if that’s what it takes to be in the Test team.”
The moment Labuschagne learned he was being dropped, his mind immediately jumped to the upcoming Ashes - especially with Australia not playing any Tests before then. To push for a recall, he’ll have three Sheffield Shield matches plus the ODIs to prove himself before the big series. “It was tough because you never want to be dropped,” he reflected. “But as soon as the selectors said it, my focus shifted straight to, ‘Okay, how do I get into the Ashes squad? How do I make that happen?’”
Being dropped also gave Labuschagne a chance to step back and think about his game. “It’s given me time to reflect without the constant pressure from the media saying, ‘Marnus has to go,'” he said. “That’s part of the sport - there’s always a tipping point - but I enjoy proving people wrong and finding a way back. Missing those West Indies Tests allowed me to sit down and think, ‘This is where I want to be, and this is how I’m going to get there.'"