Marnus Labuschagne ready of bat 'anywhere' in Ashes 2025-26
What's the story
Marnus Labuschagne, the veteran Australian batter, has said that he is indifferent about his batting position in the team's top order. The statement comes as selectors deliberate over the final composition of the squad for the first Ashes Test against England, starting on November 21 in Perth. Despite a year of poor form, Labuschagne's impressive domestic season with five centuries across Shield and One-Day Cup has seemingly secured him a spot in Australia's starting XI for Perth.
Game plan
It's all about team balance, says Labuschagne
Labuschagne, who has played 56 Tests mostly at number three, said he is ready to bat wherever the team needs him. He stressed that it's all about team balance and there's more at play than just his position. "Would I like to open? I'll bat wherever they tell me to bat," Labuschagne told reporters. "Considering I've played 56 Tests at number three, that would sound right. But I don't mind where I bat. It's all about team balance."
Performance review
Labuschagne's Test form since August 2023
Since his last century for Australia against England in Manchester two years ago, Labuschagne has been dismissed in single digits 14 times. He has scored four of his seven half-centuries in two Tests. However, after missing Australia's West Indies tour, he found a rich vein of form at the start of the domestic season.
Strategy shift
How he turned his form around
Labuschagne revealed that he was overthinking his technical stuff before games, especially on the day before and of the game. "I just wanted to make sure I go out there with a clear mind and I found the best way to do that was to save the batting for the game." After leaving West Indies tour, he worked hard with Michael Di Venuto and Matthew Wade on his technique in Brisbane.
Recent performances
Terrible numbers in WTC 2023-25 cycle
As per ESPNcricinfo, Labuschagne averaged just 27.82 in the 2023-25 WTC cycle, having scored 974 runs from 20 matches. This includes a solitary hundred and eight fifties across 36 innings. No other Australian with 500-plus runs in this cycle, while operating in the top seven, had a sub-34 average. Notably, Labuschagne averaged 72.82 and 52.53 in the 2019-21 and 2021-23 cycles, respectively. He clocked 1,500-plus runs in both these editions.