Marnus Labuschagne claims he is lot sharper in his own game today than he was in previous summers and that he would have no trouble opening for Australia in the Ashes.
In Friday’s Sheffield Shield encounter between Queensland and New South Wales, Labuschagne was denied another opportunity to bat as the game ended in an early draw.
After the first day was ruined by weather, Jack Clayton’s 113 made sure Queensland wouldn’t have to continue.
A draw was declared shortly after Sam Konstas became more patient with the bat. Later in the innings, he attacked and was caught charging Sam Skelly on 41.
The 20-year-old Konstas is almost certain to be granted time in the Sheffield Shield to regain his form, so he won’t be present for the first Test in Perth next month.
All-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster would both be able to remain in the lineup if Labuschagne were to replace Konstas at the top.
Throughout the summer, Labuschagne has stated that his preference position is number three, but he has also stated that he would be open to returning to the club. He was dropped from the team after getting out for 17 and 22 in this year’s World Test Championship final against South Africa, the only two times he has done so at the Test level.
However, he stated on Friday that he would gladly accept the challenge of opening in Perth in three weeks.
“I’d say ‘great’,” Labuschagne said in response to a question on what he would say if asked to open. “To be honest, I don’t care; all I want is to be playing cricket as well as I can.
“I’ve been in the first few overs a couple times this year. I’ve probably batted at number three for 95% of my career in both formats, so you’re used to that.
I’m accustomed to arriving early. Great if I have to open. Great if I bat three. I’ll pick any available place, and we’ll proceed from there.”
Labuschagne, who was forced to watch from the sidelines during the Caribbean last winter, has subsequently changed his batting strategy to be more minimalistic. The famous cricket nuffie no longer bats in the nets on game days after acknowledging that he was obsessing over his technique.
His grip and posture have been somewhat altered, and during his four hundreds for Queensland to begin the season, he has also increased the pressure on the bowlers.
“Mentally I’m a lot clearer on my game and not getting too much deep thought into certain dismissals or methods,” Labuschagne stated. “I really enjoy training in the nets; I could do it all day long. It’s not that.”
But sometimes I feel like my technique reaches a point where I think, ‘Maybe I want to go and attempt that, or maybe I want to do this,’ when I go home. Right now, I’m attempting to avoid getting in my own way, go out there, and have faith in my abilities when I reach the middle.”
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