Ashes hopeful Marnus Labuschagne has opened up about his Test downfall and staggering return to form, confessing that “doubts” had crept into his mind across the past 18 months.
Labuschagne was axed from Australia’s Test side ahead of this year’s Frank Worrell Trophy campaign against the West Indies in the Caribbean, carrying drinks during the three-match series.
However, the Queenslander has started his summer with bang, smacking four hundreds in five matches for the Bulls to put himself firmly back in the frame for a Test recall.
”It’s always nice when you’re scoring runs,” Labuschagne told Fox Cricket during Sunday’s first ODI in Perth.
“The only thing I really wanted coming into this summer — take everything out, selections, everything else — I just wanted to be back playing cricket the way I want to be playing, playing with that freedom.
“It’s nice to have come out and started the way I have.”
He continued: “Coming into this summer, runs was going to be the currency and that was probably the big focus point. It doesn’t matter how you score them or what it looks like, just find a way to keep scoring runs.
“Since then, my technique moulded into whatever the game needs.”
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Since the end of the 2023 Ashes campaign in the United Kingdom, Labuschagne has averaged 25.84 in Tests with no hundreds in 28 knocks.
The 31-year-old confessed he had been battling some “mental” demons over the last couple of years, admitting he was tinkering with his technique too much.
“There’s a few technical things that I’ve ironed out of my game and had a bit of time to work on,” he explained.
“(I was) getting too deep into my technique and trying to be too perfect instead of just playing with what I’ve got; just going out there, reading the game and then using my technique to adjust to whatever they’re bowling and how they’re trying to attack me.”
Labuschagne was initially omitted from Australia’s squad for the ODI series against India, but he was recalled following an injury setback to all-rounder Cameron Green.
“It’s probably a nice reminder for yourself after struggling for a couple of years that you’ve still got it,” Labuschagne continued.
“It doesn’t matter how good you are or how many runs you’ve scored, when you don’t score runs for a while, those doubts creep in.”
Asked about the prospect of an Ashes recall, Labuschagne responded: “I always just kept telling myself if I’m playing at my best, (selection) takes care of itself.”
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Former Australian batter Michael Hussey, who endured plenty of ups and downs throughout his professional career, shed light on what a cricketer experiences when they’re struggling in the Test arena.
“It’s a really tough place to be, because you’re putting so much pressure on yourself, you want it so bad,” Hussey said on Fox Cricket.
“You start thinking too much … I’m sure there would have been hundreds of people with the best intentions offering advice and observations. You’re taking all that on board and suddenly you’re so clouded.”
Meanwhile, former Australian batter Waugh claimed that Labuschagne was a “certainty” for the first Test against England in Perth, which gets underway on November 21.
“He’s certainly got to come back in now,” Waugh told Fox Cricket on Sunday.
“Got his confidence back, he’s a bit clearer in his mind.
“We know he’s a world-class player. If he’s playing anywhere near his best, he’s definitely in the top six batters in Australia.
“I think he’s a certainty to be in the line-up in that first Test.”
Indian legend Ravi Shastri noted Labuschagne’s recent shift in intent, with the right-hander looking to score rather than just survive in the middle.
“Mentally the adjustment that he’s made is he’s looking to score now,” Shastri said on Fox Cricket.
“At times he wanted to be that perfectionist, too much revolved around technique and where his head was and where his feet should be.
“He forgot the important thing is looking to score. When you have that intent, it can make a difference.”
Waugh agreed: “He looks to leave the ball a lot. If you’re going to be successful at this level, you’ve got to look to score, not just leave the ball.
“If he clears his mind, his natural instincts will take over and he’ll be a bit more positive.”
He continued: “Mentally he’s a very intense player. He thinks about the game a lot.
“Sometimes when you’re failing, it can get too much for you.
“I think he might have cleared his mind a bit.”
Waugh also said Labuschagne “could” open the batting in the Ashes, but questioned whether the Test side would benefit more from having a specialist opener.
“It’s just going to depend on how many spots you want to interrupt,” Waugh continued.
“I don’t think Cameron Green’s a No. 3. I think he should be No. 4 or lower. I don’t see him as a three.
“There’s a lot of juggling to go on.”
Asked where he would prefer to bat in the Test side, Labuschagne quipped: “Wherever the selectors and the coach put me, that’s where I’ll be batting.
“But, I mean, I’ve battled my whole career for Australia at three, so… there’s nothing more to be said.”
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