Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne opened up on his snub from the squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand. Recently, Chief Selector George Bailey confirmed that the out-of-form batter won’t
be considered for the upcoming Test in December, considering his prolonged lean form in recent assignments against Bangladesh and South Africa.
However, Australia’s number three, who has had 68 Test appearances, is optimistic to make a comeback and said that he has no doubt that he will be back in the national Test team. “You’re pretty aware as a cricketer… you use this as an opportunity to step back from the scrutiny, and being under the pump for probably two years now,” Labuschange was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
Notably, his poor form stretches back to the 2023 Ashes, the last series in which he scored a century and since being dropped for Australia’s three-Test series against West Indies in the Caribbean last year, he has averaged 23.66 in 10 Tests and just two fifties in 19 innings.
Have done it before, got no doubt I will be back- Marnus Labuschagne
Labuschange’s last fifty in the Tests came 16 innings ago, with the latest outings yielding 36 runs at an average of 12 against Bangladesh and 151 at an average of 21.83 in South Africa. The 32-year-old will return to domestic cricket and lead Queensland considering the next Sheffield Shield round beginning on Wednesday.
Speaking about his comeback, he said, “You take this opportunity to come back and play for Queensland, enjoy your time here and find ways to win games for Queensland. Score runs, enjoy the games, and I think my path back to the Australian team will work itself out.”
“I’ve done it before, and I’ve got no doubt I will be back there. When? Who knows, but that’s the aspiration and desire. Right now, my feet are firmly fixed here with Queensland and doing whatever I can as a captain, batter, in the field and with the ball to help us win games,” he added.
