Steve Smith Backs Marnus Labuschagne’s Comeback Ahead of Ashes

Australia’s veteran batter Steve Smith has expressed strong confidence in teammate Marnus Labuschagne’s return to form ahead of the highly anticipated Ashes series. After being dropped from the national Test side for the first time in six years, Labuschagne has responded with determination and consistency, proving that his hunger for success remains intact.

Resilience After a Setback

Marnus Labuschagne’s omission from Australia’s Test squad earlier this year came as a surprise to many fans and experts. The Queenslander, who lost his place to Cameron Green at the crucial No. 3 spot, was seen carrying drinks during the West Indies series in the Caribbean. However, instead of being disheartened, Labuschagne took the challenge in stride and returned to domestic cricket to let his bat do the talking.

Smith revealed that Labuschagne had been confident of making his way back to the Test lineup. “He said to me at the start of the summer, ‘I’ll be in that Test team come the first (Ashes) Test.’ He’s backed up his words, probably. I sent him a message a couple of days ago saying how proud I was of him,” Smith shared.

The senior batter also praised Labuschagne’s remarkable form, adding, “He’s gone back and he’s got four hundreds in five hits. It’s a pretty big statement. He’s obviously not selected yet, but he’s done a lot of things right.”

Smith’s Advice: Simplify the Game

Reflecting on Labuschagne’s recent resurgence, Smith admitted that being dropped from the national team is one of the toughest challenges for any cricketer. “It’s always tough when you get dropped. We’ve all been there at some point in our careers,” he said. According to Smith, Labuschagne’s technical adjustments and simplified mindset have been crucial to his comeback.

“I think he knew he probably wasn’t batting as well as he had been four years ago, when he was scoring a mountain of runs. My advice to him was to stop thinking so technically. Just go and play the game, watch the ball and react,” Smith explained.

Versatility and Confidence Ahead of Ashes

Smith also praised Labuschagne’s adaptability and readiness to fill different roles in the batting order. “I think he’s been doing that really beautifully and he’s played so nicely. He can open, as we saw in the Test Championship Final, he can bat three, he’s versatile,” Smith noted.

The former captain added that batting at No. 3 or opening requires a similar mindset: “It’s essentially the same thing. I don’t think he needs to change anything if that’s the case. Just play the game, play how he has been.”

Labuschagne’s form and determination have now reignited hopes for a strong showing in the Ashes, with Smith confident that his teammate’s hard work and belief will pay off on the biggest stage.