With Ashes Looming, Marnus Labuschagne Sizzles With Timely 160 For Queensland

Having been axed from Australia’s XI for the Kangaroos’ most recent Test series against West Indies, Marnus Labuschagne is no longer an incumbent in the Aussie Test side for the first time in six years. However, his stay out of the team could very well be short-lived as the right-hander has begun the new Sheffield Shield season with a bang, hammering 160 for Queensland against Tasmania. 

Captaining the side, Labuschagne, who has been struggling for runs in red-ball cricket for the past couple of years, was at his fluent best as he hit 160 off 206 at a strike rate of 77, hammering 19 fours and 2 sixes. His knock helped Queensland post 612 in response to Tasmania’s 379. 

In the same innings, Labuschagne’s Australia teammate Usman Khawaja posted 69, while Matt Renshaw hit 128 opening the batting. 

Labuschagne’s ton came at No.3 but he is auditioning for an opener’s spot for The Ashes, given Australia’s 3-7 is fixed with Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster and Alex Carey all being locks. 

At least one opening spot is vacant, though, thanks to Sam Konstas’ horror run in the Caribbean, and the youngster also has had a torrid start to the Shield, beginning the season with scores of 4 & 14. Labuschagne, meanwhile, already has opening experience under his belt for Australia, having most recently done so in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final. 

The Australian selectors have not ruled out the possibility of Labuschagne opening alongside either Khawaja or a newcomer (like Jake Weatherald), and sustaining this form will guarantee his return to the Test side. The first Ashes Test is on November 21 in Perth, and Labuschagne and others will have three more rounds of Shield cricket to make their case.