Follow UsAustralia will lock horns against India in the summit clash of the World Test Championship starting on June 7 at the Oval in London. Ahead of the high-voltage clash and the much-awaited Ashes series kickstarting on June 16, Marnus Labuschagne is upbeat about the challenge of leading Australia's batting.
The 28-year-old is currently the number-one ranked batter in Test cricket and, along with Steven Smith, will hold the key to Australia's success in English conditions.
"Naturally, anyone that is batting No.3 for Australia is going to have a responsibility," Labuschagne said in a conversation with ICC.
"Even in 2019, last time in England for Ashes, it was my responsibility, it was my job to score runs, and if I didn't score runs, they would find someone else to do my job, and I don't think that changes."
The right-handed batter played County games for Glamorgan to get acclimatised to the conditions on offer, and Labuschagne believes it has now become a routine for him to test his skills in England, playing for Glamorgan.
"It is about finding ways to score runs and contribute to the side in as many games as I can. I have been coming back for five years now. It is just part of my normal routine of coming here."
"I love coming here, and I love playing County cricket. I love the team at Glamorgan, and I enjoy it so much otherwise, I wouldn't be coming back. It just helps that this year is a Test Championship Final and Ashes year, so it is very helpful for leading into the series," he said.
Before the Indian Premier League, Australia were involved in a riveting Border-Gavaskar Trophy away from home, which has helped the two sides know the strength and weakness of the players pretty well.
While the Indian spinners wreaked havoc in the series, Labuschagne feels the pacers will hold the key with the Dukes ball in seaming conditions.
"Two months ago, we played against India, so in terms of seeing them and knowing their actions and what they do, we are pretty clear on that. With the Dukes ball in their hand, they are going to be able to showcase their skills a lot more," he concluded.