Last Update on: August 22nd, 2023 at 02:01 pm
Marnus Labuschagne was not picked in Australia’s preliminary squad for ICC World Cup 2023. However, the right-handed batter still feels that he is the right person in the middle order for Australia in ODIs.
Marnus Labuschagne is not part of the ICC World Cup 2023 squad. However, he has got a nice opportunity to prove his worth to the team and get a place when the final squad is submitted to ICC.
Since Steve Smith has been ruled out upcoming South Africa tour due to an injury, Marnus Labuschagne has replaced him in the squad. Hence, Labuschagne will get a chance to play 5 ODI games against South Africa during the series. If he impresses with his batting show, he might be inducted into Australia’s squad for ICC World Cup 2023.
I Am Still Right Person For Australia In That Middle Order: Marnus Labuschagne
While speaking to Fox Cricket, Marnus Labuschagne spoke about his World Cup snub. The 29-year-old player said he has no doubt that he is still the right person for Australia to bat in the middle order. However, the batting all-rounder also accepted that his ODI performances are not up to the mark.
“I had to look at my one-day performance, and it wasn’t up to the standard that I uphold. I’ve got no doubt that I’m still the right person for Australia to bat in that middle order, but at the end of the day, you have to show it with performances, and hopefully, South Africa can be an opportunity for me to show that”, the South Africa-born cricketer said.
“It’s still all about the team, it’s not just about my selection. It’s about starting to play really good one-day cricket for Australia, starting to put really good performances together as a team,” the middle-order batter further said.
Marnus Labuschange, who has featured in 30 ODIs, also said that he has failed to cement his spot at No.4 but will be more proactive in the future.
“I think I’ve had a fair few opportunities to sort of stamp down that authority at No. 4, and I haven’t taken the opportunity. Hopefully in the next few games I can do that … I certainly want to be a bit more proactive than I have been in previous times”, Marnus Labuschagne further added.
Marnus Labuschagne is a regular member of Australia in Tests. In the last 2 years, he was picked in ODI formats too. However, he has not managed to cement his place as a powerful middle-order batter in the ODI team.
Meanwhile, Australia will face South Africa in a three-match T20I series and five-match ODI series starting August 30. The series will conclude on September 17. Post that, Australia will also tour India for a three-match ODI series.
