The biggest plus for Australian Test cricket in recent years, Marnus Labuschagne, also wants to shine in the limited-overs arena. 

The 26-year-old Queensland right-hand batsman has had a magnificent time in the traditional whites since becoming Test cricket's first concussion substitute at Lord's during the Ashes 2019. 

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On promise shown against spin and performances at the List A level, Labuschagne was picked for Australia's first ODI series in the new World Cup cycle in India this January as a middle-order batsman. He was also subsequently retained for the trip to South Africa as well as the suspended face-off versus New Zealand. 

Following the COVID-19 break, Labuschagne will now be facing arch-rivals England in a white-ball series in the UK, where he not only wants to keep climbing up the ladder in ODIs but also wants to make count a possible maiden opportunity in the T20Is. 

"It doesn't matter what the format is, I want to get better," he told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday (August 19). 

"Definitely some areas in one-day cricket I'm continuing to develop are my bowling, making sure I get a bit more consistent and become a better option for the skipper with the ball in those middle overs."

"I also want to keep working on my batting at the death," Labuschagne added. 

The pandemic affected Labuschagne's plans to turn up for Glamorgan in English County Championship this summer, but he has tried to make up for the lack of game time with quality practice in Brisbane at Cricket Australia's (CA) training centre in this period. 

"It's been good to have five months to work on (short format) skills - whereas if I was playing county cricket then you might not have the opportunity to work on those specific skills," he said. 

Touted to be a leader in the future for Australia by former captain Ricky Ponting himself, Labuschagne, however, said he isn't thinking along those lines and is pleased with the way things are going for him as a specialist batsman. 

"I love being a leader but I don't think that means you need a title," he said. "It's just about ... enjoying my cricket and making sure that I keep staying consistent scoring runs for Australia - because that's my job."

Southampton will host the three T20Is on September 4, 6 and 8, followed by the ODI series in Manchester, part of the ICC Super League, on September 11, 13 and 16, respectively. 

(Inputs from Reuters)