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However, since an incredulous period more than two years ago, when he scored four centuries in five innings, the 30-year-old has averaged 29.65 in 51 innings since notching 163 against the West Indies on December 9, 2022.
Aside from his back-to-back half centuries in the Boxing Day Test against India, and a gutsy 64 in Adelaide, Labuschagne’s struggles have yielded 15 scores of 10 or less in his past 22 knocks.
Kurtis Patterson has been the in-form batsman of the Sheffield Shield.Credit: Getty Images
While he looked in crisper touch to clinch the second Test against Sri Lanka – unbeaten on 26 – his Champions Trophy selection means he will not finish the Shield campaign with Queensland to recapture some form.
But Smith backed Labuschagne to rediscover his best touch – the forthcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa and the West Indies tour looming as his final chances to prove he warranted Ashes retention.
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“There’s a difference between being out of form and out of runs. We’ve seen Marnus do it, we know he can do it, and I don’t think he’s out of form, personally,” Smith said.
“I’ve watched him train, I’ve watched him play, and a lot of the things he’s done so well are there. A little bit of luck here and there and things can turn around pretty quickly.
“We know what he’s capable of, he knows he’d love to score more runs – we’d love him to score more runs – but in my opinion, it’s just around the corner.”
While Patterson has rejoined the conversation should Labuschagne fail to rediscover his mojo, Australia suddenly has a wealth of options.
Nathan McSweeney earned his Baggy Green as an opener after batting at No.3 and No.4 for South Australia, while Inglis’ debut century could entice selectors to move Smith to No.3, where he averages 67.1 with five tons.
Cameron Green is also firming up for a comeback from back surgery in time to take on South Africa, having scored a century against New Zealand batting at No.4 in his penultimate Test.
Opener Sam Konstas is likely to force his way back once Travis Head returns to the middle order, while 14-Test opener Matt Renshaw peeled off his second century of the summer (125 not out) for Queensland on Monday.
It would take a brave call to omit Labuschagne from the WTC final at Lords, with his gutsy 2023 Ashes century in England etched in the selectors’ memories.
But 26 months for one century marks a long drought. If that continues in July, the West Indies would be the sole opportunity to blood a new top order before the old enemy arrives.
Start the day with a summary of the most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
However, since an incredulous period more than two years ago, when he scored four centuries in five innings, the 30-year-old has averaged 29.65 in 51 innings since notching 163 against the West Indies on December 9, 2022.
Aside from his back-to-back half centuries in the Boxing Day Test against India, and a gutsy 64 in Adelaide, Labuschagne’s struggles have yielded 15 scores of 10 or less in his past 22 knocks.
Kurtis Patterson has been the in-form batsman of the Sheffield Shield.Credit: Getty Images
While he looked in crisper touch to clinch the second Test against Sri Lanka – unbeaten on 26 – his Champions Trophy selection means he will not finish the Shield campaign with Queensland to recapture some form.
But Smith backed Labuschagne to rediscover his best touch – the forthcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa and the West Indies tour looming as his final chances to prove he warranted Ashes retention.
Loading
“There’s a difference between being out of form and out of runs. We’ve seen Marnus do it, we know he can do it, and I don’t think he’s out of form, personally,” Smith said.
“I’ve watched him train, I’ve watched him play, and a lot of the things he’s done so well are there. A little bit of luck here and there and things can turn around pretty quickly.
“We know what he’s capable of, he knows he’d love to score more runs – we’d love him to score more runs – but in my opinion, it’s just around the corner.”
While Patterson has rejoined the conversation should Labuschagne fail to rediscover his mojo, Australia suddenly has a wealth of options.
Nathan McSweeney earned his Baggy Green as an opener after batting at No.3 and No.4 for South Australia, while Inglis’ debut century could entice selectors to move Smith to No.3, where he averages 67.1 with five tons.
Cameron Green is also firming up for a comeback from back surgery in time to take on South Africa, having scored a century against New Zealand batting at No.4 in his penultimate Test.
Opener Sam Konstas is likely to force his way back once Travis Head returns to the middle order, while 14-Test opener Matt Renshaw peeled off his second century of the summer (125 not out) for Queensland on Monday.
It would take a brave call to omit Labuschagne from the WTC final at Lords, with his gutsy 2023 Ashes century in England etched in the selectors’ memories.
But 26 months for one century marks a long drought. If that continues in July, the West Indies would be the sole opportunity to blood a new top order before the old enemy arrives.
Start the day with a summary of the most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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