Labuschagne’s latest century adds weight to recall bid
Marnus Labuschagne continued his high-calibre form with a century that could tilt the balance in Australia’s thinking ahead of the Ashes. On day two of Queensland’s Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia, the 31-year-old batter clubbed 159 amid a sequence of red-ball scores that have seen him accumulate white-hot form across formats.
Earlier this season, Labuschagne produced 130 and 105 in Australia’s domestic 50-over competition, followed by a 160 in the prior round of red-ball cricket. The pattern, which now includes his latest 159, marks a striking return to the kind of consistency that once made him a fixed pick for the national side.
It is an era where England’s attack will be watching closely. Labuschagne’s run of eight Tests since the 2023 Ashes—where he failed to reach three figures in 30 innings with an average of 24.74—made him one of the more scrutinised members of Australia’s batting line-up. His drop from the squad for the three-Test series against the West Indies this summer underscored how precarious form can be in Australia’s selection room.
What this means for the Ashes selection debate
The question remains whether Labuschagne should return at his traditional number three position or reclaim a different role in Australia’s order. In the most recent Test match—the World Test Championship final against South Africa—Labuschagne was pushed up to open in the selection rhetoric, but his preferred role has long been at number three, where he has notched most of his Test centuries.
If Labuschagne is recalled to anchor the middle order at number three, it could free up an opener to slot back into the top of the order, potentially opening a window for Cameron Green to stay at three or move into a more optimal position. Australia could also consider promoting Labuschagne to open, which would reshuffle several established roles in the middle and lower order. This is the kind of balancing act teams face when a proven international performer heads back into form.
Current contenders for the opening slot
Twenty-year-old Sam Konstas, who has previously worn the Australia A badge with some eye-catching moments in India, has not yet translated a century-era performance into sustained domestic form, scoring 50s but failing to convert. His latest five-to-six innings have included a four-ball dismissal to Scott Boland, illustrating the high-stakes nature of selection battles at the top level.
Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald, 30, pushed his own case with a 99-ball 94 in a low-scoring clash against Western Australia. The performance highlighted the fine margins in choosing an opening pair for the Ashes, where even a few decisive runs can shift the balance of opinion within the selection camp.
Injury watch and squad dynamics
With Beau Webster sidelined by an ankle injury, the in-season dynamics remain fluid. Green’s inclusion in Australia’s ODI squad for the series against India keeps him squarely in the selection pool, capable of contributing across multiple formats. Should Labuschagne return as an opener, it could make room for Green at number three and redefine the balance of Australia’s middle order, potentially sustaining a strong batting spine across the top seven.
Looking ahead to Perth
The first Test against England at Perth on 21 November presents a clear stage for Australia to test its reshuffled plans. How much Labuschagne’s century-driven form sways that decision will depend on a mix of confidence, conditions, and the other contenders’ recent runs. While one hundred glosses a compelling case, selectors will weigh the bigger picture: average form across formats, match situations, and the delicate art of building a cohesive batting unit heading into an Ashes series.
In pursuit of a recall that would amplify batting depth, Labuschagne’s latest century serves as a reminder of his ability to deliver in pressure moments. Whether this run of form translates into an official return remains a matter for Australia’s selectors to decide, but the case for Labuschagne has undoubtedly grown louder with every boundary he struck on day two.
