Marnus Labuschagne is refusing to let his latest Test setback dent his confidence, insisting he has no doubt about returning to the Australian side after being dropped for the upcoming World Test Championship series against New Zealand. The 32-year-old, however, is ready to put the scrutiny behind him for now, shifting his focus to domestic cricket and helping Queensland win games in the Sheffield Shield.Labuschagne’s omission comes after a prolonged lean patch in Test cricket, with the right-hander struggling to rediscover the consistency that once made him one of Australia’s most dependable batters. Despite the disappointment, he believes a return to domestic cricket will give him the opportunity to regain his rhythm and put himself back in contention for national selection.Speaking at the Gabba ahead of Queensland’s Sheffield Shield clash, Labuschagne acknowledged the pressure he has been under over the past couple of years and said he intends to use this period to enjoy his cricket again.“You are pretty aware as a cricketer … you use this as an opportunity to step back from the scrutiny, and being under the pump for probably two years now,” Labuschagne told the media on Tuesday, as quoted by Fox Sports.“You take this opportunity to come back and play for Queensland, enjoy your time here and find ways to win games for Queensland. Score runs, enjoy the games and I think my path back to the Australian team will work itself out.”
‘No doubt I will be back’: Labuschagne backs himself for Australia return
The Australian batter has experienced a similar setback before. He was left out of the squad for Australia’s tour of the West Indies last year but responded emphatically, scoring five centuries across red-ball and white-ball cricket for Queensland in eight innings to force his way back into the national setup ahead of the home Ashes series against England.Drawing confidence from that experience, Labuschagne remains optimistic about earning another opportunity, although he admitted that he does not know when the recall could come.“I have done it before, and I have got no doubt I will be back there. When? Who knows, but that is the aspiration and desire. Right now, my feet are firmly fixed here with Queensland and doing whatever I can as a captain, batter, in the field and with the ball to help us win games,” he added.
Labuschagne names potential contenders for Australia’s No. 3 spot
With Labuschagne out of the picture for the New Zealand assignment, the competition for Australia’s No. 3 position is expected to intensify. Asked about the possible candidates who could fill the vacancy, the Queensland captain highlighted Jack Clayton, Kurtis Patterson and Sam Konstas among the available options.Clayton, in particular, has impressed with his recent performances in the Sheffield Shield, and Labuschagne was quick to praise his batting form while offering his support as the youngster navigates the possibility of stepping into the international spotlight.“There are some candidates; the likes of Jack Clayton has scored some runs in the last two Shield games, and is batting beautifully. Sam Konstas scored some runs, there’s a lot of good batters around the country, Kurtis Patterson has scored some runs in the last few years (too),” he said.“It is not for me to work out. I think there is options there, and they have also got some internal options in the way they can re-jig the order. My thing for Jack is I am here to support him, and I understand this is the first time for him on this journey of being in the spotlight. Whatever I can do to help him and make him feel comfortable … he is a fabulous player and a really good kid,” he added.
Labuschagne’s prolonged Test batting slump behind omission
Labuschagne’s exclusion follows a difficult run of form in the longest format. He managed just 131 runs across six innings during Australia’s recent three-Test series against South Africa, further strengthening the selectors’ case for a change ahead of the crucial WTC assignment against New Zealand.His struggles have extended well beyond that series. Since scoring his last Test century against England at Old Trafford in July 2023, Labuschagne has gone 26 Tests and 49 innings without reaching three figures.During that period, he has accumulated 1,094 runs at an average of 24.31, including nine half-centuries. The numbers represent a significant fall from the standards he established earlier in his Test career.