Marnus Labuschagne begins another stint in the Sheffield Shield next month with one clear objective – force his way back into Australia’s Test side before the Ashes opener in Perth at the end of November.
The long-time No.3 was left out of the West Indies series in July, his first omission since 2019. A return of 27.82 across two seasons, punctuated by a single century, proved hard for selectors to ignore. There was brief talk of an early flight to county cricket or an Australia A programme, yet he stayed on tour, spending long spells in the nets with support staff. That work has continued back in Brisbane.
“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’,” he told News Corp. “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 back and think, ‘This is where I want to be and this is how I’m going to get there’.”
Head coach Andrew McDonald offered a gentle nudge rather than a shove, suggesting the gap without Labuschagne “wasn’t going to be a huge gap.” The 31-year-old remains in the squad for this month’s ODIs against South Africa and, fitness permitting, will chalk up three Shield matches for Queensland before the Ashes party is named in mid-November.
Where he might slot back in is the newest conundrum. Cameron Green finished that Caribbean trip at first drop, grafting runs on slow pitches. If Green is fully fit to bowl, he could yet shuffle down to five or six, leaving the No.3 spot free. Another option – perhaps less fancied, though not by the man himself – is the top of the order.
“I would be happy to do that – I would love to,” Labuschagne 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.”
Selection panels usually like one irresistible reason to make a change. Labuschagne has about 300 Shield overs – roughly four innings – to provide it.
