Dropped Australian Test star Labuschagne plots Ashes return
The long-time number three was axed from Australia's Test tour of the West Indies in June and July after a sustained lean spell.
In his first comments since, he told The Australian newspaper on Sunday that it may have been a blessing in disguise.
"It was tough because you never want to be dropped," the 31-year-old said.
"But almost as soon as their (selectors) words came out my mind shifted straight away to, 'Okay, how am I playing the Ashes ... how do I make that happen?'.
"This has given me an opportunity to reflect and not having the pressure of the media saying, 'Marnus has got to go'.
"There is a tipping point but it's something I thrive on, proving the doubters wrong and being able to find a way.
"Missing those West Indies Tests gave me the chance to sit back and think, 'This is where I want to be and this is how I'm going to get there'."
The 58-Test veteran was moved from his regular spot at three to open in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa in June, where he scored 17 and 22 before being dropped.
But with his replacement, the teenager Sam Konstas, struggling at the top of the order, Labuschagne said he was ready to give it another crack.
"I would be happy to do that -- I would love to," he said, with Cameron Green ably filling the number three slot in the West Indies.
"If opener is where I need to bat to be playing in the Test team, that's fine.
"If you had asked me where I prefer to bat, obviously I have batted at three my whole career, but at this stage you don't get a choice."
Labuschagne returns to action for Australia in three home one-dayers against South Africa this month.
He will then switch his attention to the Sheffield Shield, hoping to impress selectors enough to earn a recall for the five-Test Ashes series starting in Perth on November 21.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'I would have convinced Mukesh Ambani and Jasprit Bumrah…': BCCI, Ajit Agarkar reminded that country is greater than IPL
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India ended on level terms, 2-2. The world continues to hail Mohammed Siraj's workhorse-like ability. The 31-year-old pacer played all five Tests, giving his heart and soul. The pacer was rewarded in the final Test at the Oval, scalping five wickets in the second innings, helping India register a narrow six-run win. However, the focus is on Jasprit Bumrah, who played just three Tests owing to workload management. The decision to have him feature in three games continues to polarise opinion. JAsprit Bumrah played just three Tests against England. (Action Images via Reuters) Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes Bumrah should have missed the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season for the Mumbai Indians in order to prioritise the Test series against England. Bumrah played all five Tests against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, he went down in the Sydney match due to a back spasm, leading to him being ruled out of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy. He then also missed the initial few games for the Mumbai Indians. However, he made his much-awaited return in the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Bumrah informed the BCCI that he would play just three Tests against England to manage his workload. Also Read: Waqar Younis' staggering reaction to claim Jasprit Bumrah is 'right-handed Wasim Akram' 'Considering the importance of the India versus England Tests series and his fragile back, Bumrah should have been told by the BCCI, selectors and the Indian team management to miss IPL-2025. It was very important that we had a fully fit and refreshed Bumrah for this iconic series,' Vengsarkar told Times of India. 'If I was the India chief selector, I would have convinced Mukesh Ambani (Mumbai Indians owner) and Bumrah that it was important for Bumrah to miss the IPL for the England series, or play a lesser number of matches in the IPL. I'm sure that they would have agreed to do so,' he added. 'Who remembers IPL?' In the three Tests Bumrah played against England, the pacer returned with two five-wicket hauls at Headingley and Lord's. Vengsarkar believes Bumrah should have prioritised Tests, as no one really remembers the runs and wickets in the IPL. 'Who remembers the runs and wickets taken in the IPL? However, people will remember Mohammed Siraj's lion-hearted performance in this series, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant's sublime batting, and Washington Sundar's superb all-round performance,' said Vengsarkar. The former India captain believes India could have won the series had Bumrah been available for the entire contest. However, he also stated that the pacer cannot be blamed, as he underwent back surgery recently. 'It was a series for the ages and I wish Bumrah was available for almost all the Tests. We could have won the series if that was the case,' said Vengsarkar. "You can't blame Bumrah for missing matches at times. We must remember that Bumrah has undergone back surgery. His back is vulnerable, and we must be cautious with him. You can't question his commitment for the country. He has given his all whenever he has played for India. I hope he returns for India after adequate rest and when fully fit," he added.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
16 minutes ago
- First Post
Karun Nair reveals inside story of India-England dressing room celebration after thrilling Test series: 'Both teams were respectful'
The India vs England Test series ended with a friendly celebration in the England dressing room. Karun Nair said both teams shared respectful conduct, and McCullum called it a great series. read more Karun Nair spills the beans as he reveals what happened during the celebration between India and England players. Image: PTI The recently concluded India vs England Test series had its fair share of controversies as players from both teams never missed an opportunity to gain some psychological edge, but it all ended with a friendly celebration in the England dressing room. India batter Karun Nair, who was a part of the conversation, has now revealed a bit of what happened when the Indian cricket team visited its opposing team's locker room. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It has been a long-standing tradition in England that no matter how bloody and brutal a Test series is, the players later catch up in the home team's dressing room at the end of the series, leaving rivalries on the pitch and forming a new friendly bond. The India-England series also witnessed some highly-charged moments, which began with the verbal spat between England opener Zak Crawley and India captain Shubman Gill in the third Test at Lord's. Later, Ben Duckett and Akash Deep were seen sharing some banter, Joe Root seemed upset with Prasidh Krishna, and who can forget the handshake drama between England skipper Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja. Karun Nair spills the beans on IND-ENG dressing room celebration Making a return to the Indian team after a gap of eight years in England, Nair shared how Team India celebrated the sensational win at the Oval by six runs as they drew the series 2-2 in the final match. The Karnataka batter revealed that despite a memorable win at the Oval, Team India had a simple celebration before leaving for the England dressing room. 'Not really. We didn't overdo anything,' Nair told ESPNCricinfo. He added that the celebrations 'weren't as much as people think.' Talking about what transpired in the England dressing room, Nair said that players from both teams had respectful conduct towards each other as they shared their stories. He added that England coach Brendon McCullum called the series one of the greatest in 'recent memory.' 'We had a good chat, both teams were respectful of the fact that it was a great series,' Nair said. 'Brendon McCullum mentioned it was the greatest Test series to be played in recent memory. As players, we didn't feel the magnitude of it during the matches, but looking back at how the moments panned out, as a group, we feel we achieved something special.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India.com
16 minutes ago
- India.com
Proteas' 19-Year-Old Pacer Kwena Maphaka Sets New Records In Darwin Against Australia
In a breathtaking display of pace and precision, 19-year-old South African fast bowler Kwena Maphaka etched his name in cricket history with a fiery spell against Australia in the first T20I at Darwin's Marrara Cricket Ground. Delivering sheer hostility and control, the young quick ripped through the Australian batting lineup, finishing with sensational figures of 4 wickets for just 20 runs in his four overs. Youngest South African While his performance was a match-winning contribution in itself, it also carried historical significance. Maphaka became the youngest South African bowler ever to take a four-wicket haul in T20 internationals, achieving the feat at 19 years and 124 days. He surpassed the previous record held by Wayne Parnell, who achieved a similar milestone at 19 years and 318 days. Australia Bowled Out For First Time Adding to the magnitude of his achievement, Maphaka's 4/20 now stands as the best bowling figures by a South African against Australia in T20I cricket, surpassing several legendary names in the Proteas' fast bowling history, including Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada. His spell not only dismantled the hosts' batting order but also paved the way for another historic moment; it was the first time South Africa had bowled Australia out in a T20 international. Maphaka's aggression, backed by disciplined support from his fellow bowlers, ensured the Proteas dominated proceedings from start to finish. Match Summary Australia beat South Africa by 17 runs despite heavy dew, thanks to Tim David's match-changing 27-run burst after being dropped on 56. South Africa's chase started well with Markram attacking Hazlewood, but the bowler hit back and later delivered a double-wicket over that triggered a collapse of 4 for 3. Stubbs played fluently, Rickleton struggled for momentum, and Maxwell's brilliant catch sealed the win.
