News 2025 marnus labuschagne test cricket sheffield shield ashes ian healy 20251020 p5n3r9.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Advertisement
Advertisement
This was published 1 year ago

'He's back': Aussie great gives Marnus Labuschagne Ashes vote of confidence

Nic Negrepontis
Nic Negrepontis

Powered by

Marnus Labuschagne admits he is feeling confident heading into the summer after tweaks he's made to his game have paid off over the past month.

The 31-year-old has made two hundreds from three innings in the Sheffield Shield to go with two hundreds in the domestic one-day cup in a blistering start to the season and has put his hand up for an Ashes recall.

Labuschagne was dropped from the Australian Test XI before the Test tour of the West Indies in July, following a tough run of form.

Advertisement

READ MORE: 'Currency is low': Humbling TV job could be next for Ange

READ MORE: 'Max attack': Verstappen narrows margin with emphatic win

READ MORE: Legend's timely warning as Konstas flaws laid bare

Marnus Labuschagne.

Marnus Labuschagne. Getty

The Queenslander hadn't made a Test ton in his last 28 innings, but has grabbed the opportunity to refresh and find his feet in the Sheffield Shield.

He has made 337 runs at an average of 112.33 so far in the tournament.

The Australian top order is as shaky as it has been this century, with no certainty over the top three a month out from the Perth Test.

Selectors have made it clear that runs in the Sheffield Shield will be key, and Labuschagne has done just that.

Advertisement

"It's always nice when you're scoring runs," Labuschagne told Fox Cricket.

"The only thing I really wanted coming into this summer, take everything out, selections, everything else, I just wanted to be back playing cricket the way I want to be playing, playing with that freedom. It's nice to have come out and started the way I have.

"Coming into this summer, runs was going to be the currency and that was probably the big focus point. It doesn't matter how you score them or what it looks like, just find a way to keep scoring runs.

"Since then, my technique moulded into whatever the game needs."

Advertisement
Advertisement
Marnus Labuschagne of the Queensland Bulls celebrates bringing up his century.

Marnus Labuschagne of the Queensland Bulls celebrates bringing up his century. Getty

He was asked directly about the potential of an Ashes recall, but was coy with his response.

"I always just kept telling myself if I'm playing at my best, (selection) takes care of itself," Labuschagne said.

Fellow Queenslander and great of Australian cricket Ian Healy believes Labuschagne's best spot might just be opening alongside Usman Khawaja, rather than batting at three.

Advertisement

"I'm very happy with Marnus' form, he's back," Healy told SEN.

"Marnus can open and he's happy to go wherever selectors want him. I've got him at one and Khawaja at two. Konstas comes in when Uzzie retires."

Sam Konstas, Jake Weatherald and Matt Renshaw are the others in the mix for spots in the top three, alongside Khawaja, Labuschagne and potentially Cam Green, depending on where he slots in.

Labuschagne provided some insight into what he has tweaked since his omission.

Advertisement
Advertisement

"There's a few technical things that I've ironed out of my game and had a bit of time to work on," he explained.

"(I was) getting too deep into my technique and trying to be too perfect instead of just playing with what I've got - just going out there, reading the game and then using my technique to adjust to whatever they're bowling and how they're trying to attack me."

Labuschagne's next opportunity to make some runs will come on October 28 when Queensland hosts New South Wales.

Most viewed in Cricket

More to explore