Marnus Labuschagne Stakes Claim For T20I Debut After Slamming Ton In The Intra-Squad Practice Game

Australia’s Test sensation Marnus Labuschagne has already declared his intention to play all the formats for the national team. With Marnus Labuchagne already establishing himself as a regular fixture in the Test side, the South African-born smashed a T20 century in the intra-squad practice match ahead of the T20 series against England. Following his hundred, Labuschagne said he loves playing all the versions of the game.

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Marnus Labuschagne wore the coloured clothing for the first time earlier this year when he made his maiden ODI appearance against India. While he is yet to play a T20 international, the 26-year old impressed in his six ODIs so far. After making two forty plus scores in India, the right-handed batsman notched up his first One-day hundred in South Africa, albeit in a losing cause. A ton in the practice game could put him in line for a T20I debut as well.

However, it is worth noting that Marnus Labuschagne does not have an impressive T20 career so far. In ten short-format matches so far for the Brisbane Heat, the 26-year old has only 97 runs at 12.12, maintaining a strike rate of 100. Furthermore, he has managed only two sixes, which is largely insufficient for the slam-bang version of the game. He was part of Aaron Finch’s XI and scored a 51-ball 100 in the second practice match, sharing a stand of 181 with Alex Carey as they scored 229 in a winning effort.

It was nice to get an opportunity at the top: Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne underlined that they have some exceptionally talented top-order players in their armoury; hence, it was essential to score runs and be in the reckoning. He said that he loves playing all three formats and batting at the top-order felt relatively comfortable than in the middle-order.

“We’ve got some immensely good top-order players there so for me it was just about making sure I score runs. In any game, it doesn’t matter if it’s in a T20, you just want to keep making it an option.

“I enjoy playing all formats, but it was nice to get an opportunity at the top. I’ve been feeling good but just not getting the runs, obviously batting in the middle has been slightly tougher,” the Queensland batsman told ESPN Cricinfo.

Labuschagne added that it was about allowing himself to stake his claim for a T20 debut. He further said that it does not matter for any player what the format is, one has got to keep the runs coming and stay in contention for a spot.

“So getting an opportunity today at the top gave myself a bit more of a chance. Got myself in and I was able to go on with it. For anyone it doesn’t matter what game is, you just want to keep getting runs on the board, especially if you’re not in the current side, you just want to keep getting your name up there,” he added.

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