Nothing but runs in Labuschagne’s mind as he scores century with some flowing stroke play against Victoria.
Labuschagne launches with a century: ‘Nothing but runs matters’.
With a century for Queensland, Marnus Labuschagne accelerated his hopes of rejoining the Test team for the Ashes series, but Glenn Maxwell answered as only he can.
In the One-Day Cup match on Wednesday at Allan Border Field, Queensland defeated Victoria by 55 runs thanks to a stylish 130 from 118 deliveries from captain Labuschagne.
Maxwell did Maxwell things as the run chaser after he departed from ODI cricket in June. Even though his 107 off 82 balls, which featured eight massive sixes, was insufficient to win, he provided maximum entertainment.
Labuschagne needs to score a lot of runs in the last month in order to return to the Test team. He scored 67 runs in a one-day practice match against Tasmania, and he then retired 67 runs in a two-day encounter. In T20 Max, a century off 57 balls was even more astounding.
He took another positive step with his innings against Victoria.
“I just trusted my game today and it was nice to be playing at my best and trusting my instincts,” Labuschagne said. “I think it always happens at some stage in your career where you are searching … and you get a little muddled and not as clear.
“The last two months I’ve played lots of games and I’m getting that feel of the game back after three months of not playing, from the [World] Test Championship until now. Nothing else matters but runs. The format doesn’t matter. I know if I am playing my best I will find my way in the team.
“My goal is to be there for the first Test. The only way you can do that is with performances on the board.”
While Labuschagne has made his mark as a No. 3 batter, he is also open to partnering Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.
“I don’t care where I bat, if I have to open or bat three,” he said. “The fact of the matter is that when you are not in the team you don’t have the luxury of choosing where you bat.”
Before Wednesday’s match Labuschagne said he was keen to find the “see ball, hit ball” form that rocketed him to the top of the ICC Test batter rankings, a modus operandi adopted to perfection by India maestro Virender Sehwag.
“Obviously Sehwag’s method was taking the ball on and just playing it. That’s an element for me,” Labuschagne said. “That is where I want to get to by the start of the summer, where I am so clear and confident with my technique that there is nothing else I am thinking about apart from seeing the ball, hitting it and trusting my game and everything falling into place.”