Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne is determined to reclaim his place in the national side ahead of the Ashes 2025. After a confidence-boosting century for Queensland against Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield, Labuschagne said his focus is now on “just scoring runs” instead of overthinking his technique.
Just days after hitting 130 against Victoria in the One Day Cup, Labuschagne strengthened his case for selection. His recent struggles at the international level are well known. The right-hander has not scored a century in his last 49 matches. He has managed only 12 fifties in 57 innings with an average below 30. His red-ball form has also dipped since his last Test hundred against England in July 2023. Since then, he has scored just 668 runs in 30 innings at an average of 24.74. Although he was part of the squad for the West Indies Tests this year, he did not feature in a single match.
“Focus is Just Scoring Runs”
Speaking after his Sheffield Shield ton, Labuschagne told Fox Cricket, “I felt good out there. It felt like I was reading the conditions well. I took the game on at certain times.”
“I feel like I have really stripped it back and my focus is just scoring runs – it is not really too technical … just what I need out there to score runs,” he added.
He credited teammate Steve Smith for influencing his mindset and approach. “So having an adjustable technique and something that I can just use, rather than work out what is the exact, perfect way to play, is important. It is just about going back to find a way to score runs,” he explained.
Hussey’s Words Still Motivate Labuschagne
Labuschagne still remembers the advice given by Michael Hussey when he received his Baggy Green cap in 2018 during a Test against Pakistan. Despite a tough debut with scores of 0 and 13, Hussey’s words about handling pressure have stayed with him through highs and lows. He has experienced everything — from becoming the world’s No.1 Test batter to being dropped from the side.
“You are probably not under pressure as such, but certainly when you are not scoring runs, yeah, there is certainly pressure. But that is international cricket,” he said.
“I mean, you are not playing international cricket if you do not want to be able to deal with pressure and deal with criticism and deal with … what is in front of you. Think that is the one part that separates good cricketers and great cricketers … is the way they deal with pressure.”
“I will never forget the day Michael Hussey gave me my cap, and he literally said those words. He said, ‘The way you deal with pressure will dictate how you will go in this cap.’ And there is no truer statement. Right now, this is the perfect example of … finding your way back, and the pressure that comes with that and trying to work out how you’re going to get yourself back into that side,” he continued.
Determined to Regain His Spot
Despite being on the sidelines, Labuschagne sees this period as an opportunity to reset and return stronger. “I think it is an exciting time for me. It is a challenge that I have not had for … six or seven years since I joined the Australian team, and I’ve found myself probably … slightly on the outside, but I am very confident that I’ll find my way back there very soon. The benefit I have is that I know that I have done it before. I know it was not long ago that I was there playing my best cricket. So for me, it is an opportunity to sit back and take in how I am going to go about getting myself back to my best,” he concluded.
Labuschagne’s renewed focus and form could make him a strong contender for a place in the Ashes squad when the first Test begins on November 21. His determination, along with Hussey’s timeless advice, could be what he needs to reignite his international career.
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