Australian Test skipper Tim Paine lavished praise on Marnus Labuschagne for being a natural leader on and off the field and his evolution from effervescent rookie to an influential figure in the Australian set-up.

Paine also called Labuschagne a “great reader and thinker of the game” and endorsed him as a potential future Australian captain, as he expecting the 26-year-old to move into a leadership role within the next couple of years.

As reported by reported cricket.com.au, Paine said: “I think he'd be a good (leader). Marnus is a great thinker of the game. He's a good team man, he's got so much enthusiasm for his team and the game.”

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The skipper further explained, “With Marnus it's about him evolving into leading more, and being more of a leader. He's come into our group and been a really infectious, energetic guy which has been fantastic for our team, but I think in terms of our cricket team improving and Marnus evolving, I think in the next couple of years we'll definitely see him take the step up.”

He also reckoned that Labuschagne possesses natural leadership ability and if this ability is harnessed, the Queenslander will become an excellent captain for Australia.

Paine signed off by saying, “He's got leadership in him, there's no doubt about that – the way he goes about it, the way he treats people, the way he works on his game … with some time, he will become an excellent leader for this squad. He's got some real natural leadership ability and if that's harnessed and helped, I think he'll be a great captain.”

Noteworthy, Labuschagne is currently in England representing Glamorgan in the Vitality T20 Blast, where he is the second-highest run-getter in the competition.