Run-machine Labuschagne in form of his life ahead of Ashes series

Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne slammed a fifth century in eight innings, firing an ominous warning shot ahead of the Ashes with some of the richest form of his life.

The Queensland captain was dropped ahead of Australia’s mid-year Test tour of the West Indies after an extended lean spell.

But he has come roaring back, hitting 101 from 111 balls against New South Wales in a one-day game at Sydney on Monday.

It was the 31-year-old’s third hundred this season in the 50-over format, to go with two in the red-ball Sheffield Shield.

“The only one I can think of is probably 2019 at Glamorgan as a period of time,” Labuschagne told reporters when asked if this period was his best ever run of form.

“But probably not across both formats.

“With both formats I feel like my batting is in a really nice place, just trusting my skills and trusting myself out there ... It’s all coming together.”

Labuschagne’s stunning run makes him an almost certain starter in the first Test against England at Perth on Nov. 21, but at what position he bats remains to be seen.

All his recent runs have come at number three, but with Australia struggling to lock in a partner for Usman Khawaja at the top he is also a candidate to open.

Australia are expected to name their Ashes squad this week.

Should Labuschagne open, then Cameron Green would likely stay at three ahead of Steve Smith and Travis Head with all-rounder Beau Webster retaining his place at six.

If Australia opt for a specialist opener -- with Matt Renshaw, Sam Konstas and Jake Weatherald in contention -- then Green is expected to drop to six and Webster will miss out.

“I’m prepared either way. It doesn’t concern me where I’m batting,” said Labuschagne, who has 11 Test centuries.

“The important thing is my process and trying to be consistent. That’s what’s important.”

England drew 2-2 at home in the most recent Ashes series in 2023, but have not won in Australia since 2010/2011.

Their preparations have been far from ideal, crashing 3-0 in a just-concluded one-day series against New Zealand.

The defeats featured a litany of batting failures by the likes of Joe Root, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell.

They have just one red-ball lead-up game before the first Ashes Test, against an England A side in Perth next week.

England confident of Ashes chances says Wood

England are banking on their rapid bowling attack as they look to end their Ashes drought in Australia, with fast bowler Mark Wood saying the squad has a ‘different feel’ to previous unsuccessful trips Down Under.

England’s last series defeat in Australia in 2022 led to an extensive review and shake-up of team leadership, resulting in the appointments of coach Brendon McCullum and red-ball captain Ben Stokes as well as a marked shift in playing style.

“I can truly say there’s a quiet confidence within the group,” Wood told the Guardian in an interview published on Monday. “It’s a different feel this time. Last time we had COVID-19 and problems behind the scenes.

“Under this coach (Brendon McCullum) and this captain (Ben Stokes) there’s a specific way of playing and we’re going with more confidence and belief.”

England head into the series with arguably their quickest fast-bowling lineup in years, featuring Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse.

Their last series victory in Australia was also built on a strong bowling attack, which boasted James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steve Finn and Chris Tremlett.

Wood said England had taken a page out of Australia’s playbook with their approach.

“It’s about having a collection of bowlers who can come in if anyone needs resting or there are injuries,” he added.

“We want a battery of fast bowlers and we’ve tried to change from the norm of England, where there are lots of seamers, to Australia’s vision of fast bowling. Look at Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

“They can all bowl at 90 (mph) or in the high 80s and they’ve been especially consistent and relentless.

“So we’re going there with a bit of an Australia blueprint to see if we can replicate that and put their batters under pressure like they’ve done with ours.”

Wood, who was one of England’s standout bowlers in the 2021-22 series when he claimed 17 wickets, has been sidelined since February due to a knee injury.

“I’ve obviously had a poor and strange summer. I could have played at the back end of the season, for Durham, but England took a more cautious approach,” the 35-year-old said.

“As long as I feel I’m contributing, and my body’s good, I’d love to keep going.”

Reuters