I Look Up To And Aspire To Be Like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith - Marnus Labuschagne

After having a scintillating season with the bat in the longer version of the game, Marnus Labuschagne all set to enter in the limited-overs format. Ahead of his first ODI series, Marnus Labuschagne revealed that he looks up to the likes of Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson and the other few to deliver goods across the formats without fail.

He had a tremendous home season with the bat, after showing his class in the Ashes Trophy 2019. Claiming his chance to bat as concussion substitute, Marnus Labuschagne proved his mettle and showed the world that he would stay in the International cricket for a while. Now, he is all set to get his maiden cap against the Indian National Cricket Team in India.

They’ve been consistent – Marnus Labuschagne

The 22-year-old right-handed batsman scored back-to-back Test centuries against Pakistan and another ton and a double hundred against New Zealand in the summer before embarking on the ODI tour of India. Ahead of the series, Marnus Labuschagne stated that he will look up to the players like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith and a few others, who are delivering goods consistently for years now. He wants to join such list with his performances on the field for Australia.

“You look at the guys I look up to and aspire to — Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Joe Root. They’ve been doing it for a very long time, five, six years they’ve been consistent, not just in one format, but two or more formats,” Labuschagne was quoted as saying by ‘ESPNCricinfo’.

“…I’ve had some success this summer, but the real challenge for me is to be more consistent going on and being able to keep putting continued performances on the board. If I can continue to do that, then that’s obviously going to be the challenge for me,” said Labuschagne who has scored 1459 runs from 14 Tests.

Would like to follow the path of  Michael Hussey –

Labuschagne might play a somewhat different role for Australia. With Aaron Finch, David Warner, and Smith seemingly locked into the top order for Australia, Labuschagne, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey and Ashton Turner will be juggled in the remaining spots. Labuschagne’s wrist spin bowling will also be used, especially in the absence of Glenn Maxwell.

“Batting in the middle order it’s about running really hard between wickets and trying to get those runs through the middle, then when you get the opportunity towards the back end to open the shoulders a bit,” Labuschagne said would like to follow the path of former Australia batsman Michael Hussey as far as adapting to different conditions is concerned.

Apart from his Test performances, he had put in some stellar performances for Queensland (his state team) in the Marsh Cup and finished as the Joint Player of the Tournament alongside teammate Usman Khawaja.

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