Australia’s newest Test hero Marnus Labuschagne has on Saturday (January 11) revealed his preferred batting position in One Day International (ODI) cricket after getting a call-up to the national squad for the upcoming three-ODI series in India.
After dominating home Test summer, finishing with 896 runs across five Test matches – an Australian record at home this summer, South African-born Australian batsman Labuschagne is aiming to push Steve Smith down a position in the ODI batting order if he gets his debut cap in India.
The 25-year-old, who now has 1459 runs from 14 Tests to his name, revealed that he wishes to bat at the No.3 position or No.4 position for Australia ahead of his possible ODI debut in the upcoming three-match series against India starting January 14 in Mumbai.
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As per reports in cricket.com.au, Labuschagne said: “I bat at three for Queensland so (I’d like to bat) three or four. Batting in the middle order for Queensland probably means that’s why I’m here and what I’ve been selected for.”
However, Labuschagne is well aware that his desire to bat at No. 3 is possible only when Smith agrees to move down in the batting order as the Australia batting superstar has occupied the position for 56 times so far – third only to Ricky Ponting (339) and Dean Jones (131).
Well, the right-hander has had a great Marsh One-Day Cup last year, scoring 364 runs at an average of 60.66 and strike rate of 100.55 that could help him in getting his desired batting position.
The all-rounder further added, “I’m not sure where Steve’s going to bat, I think that’ll have a pretty big influence if I play, where I will play.”
Meanwhile, Labuschagne is all set to face Virat Kohli–led Indian Cricket Team for the second time if he get opportunity in the upcoming ODI series having played just once against India – last year’s New Years Test in Sydney, but he is well aware about the strength of the hosts.
Labuschagne signed off by saying, “They’re the toughest opponent in the world at the moment in any format, so to be able to play them on their home grounds will be a real challenge and it’s exciting. As a player you want to play against the best and perform against the best and there’s no better place to do it in India against India.”
(With cricket.com.au Inputs)
