Marnus Labuschagne says his time away from the team has helped him get ready to make a strong case for his return. Labuschagne, who has been averaging less than 30 with one century since 2023, was dropped from the Australian red-ball team ahead of the West Indies Test tour. This was the first time the side had left him out of a Test game since 2019.
He has been training with the Australian coaching staff, both during the tour and after returning home. Following the ODI series against South Africa, where he is very likely to feature, being retained in the squad, he has a few Shield games to play to make his case stronger.
“This [being left out] has given me an opportunity to reflect and not having the pressure of the media saying, ‘Marnus has got to go’,” Labuschagne told News Corp in his first interview since losing his spot.
“I mean that’s part of the game. There is a tipping point but it’s something I thrive on… proving the doubters wrong and being able to find a way. Missing those West Indies Tests gave me the chance to go back and think, ‘This is where I want to be and this is how I’m going to get there’.”
Cameron Green, who replaced him for the Caribbean tour, scored 184 runs across three Test games, coming in at No. 3, a position long held by Labuschagne. But Sam Konstas opening with Usman Khawaja wasn’t as impressive, which could be Marnus’ way in to the side. Australian coach Andrew McDonald said it was still early days to finalize the opening pair for the Ashes, and Marnus’ absence might not be too long.
“I think towards the end there [before being left out], and Marnus won’t mind me saying this, that there was a little bit of going backward and forward on plans and at certain stages he wasn’t clear,” McDonald said after Australia defeated West Indies 3-0 in the Test series. “He’s got great clarity leaving here, which is a successful tour, albeit he hasn’t played a game… and [we] look forward to what he does coming into the early Shield rounds and then putting his hand up for selection for Perth.
“But he’s a quality player. He averages 46 in Test match cricket. We feel as though this wasn’t going to be a huge gap before he does return because of the quality, but the start of the Shield season will really shape that.”
Labuschagne was promoted to the opening spot in a desperate attempt to resolve both Australia’s opening conundrum and rejuvenate his form in the World Test Championship final. However, the move didn’t work in either’s favour. The right-handed batter, though, said he hasn’t any issues with opening the innings, if that’s what the team needs.
“I would be happy to do that – I would love to,” he said. “If opener is where I need to bat to be playing in the Test team, that’s fine. If you had asked me where I prefer to bat obviously I have batted at three my whole career, but at this stage you don’t get a choice.
“I opened in the World Test Championship final and felt I batted quite well. I got in but did not go on with it.”
