Ashes 2023: “There's a lot more clarity around our team,” says Marnus Labuschagne ahead of upcoming Ashes series

The Ashes 2023 is due to get underway on June 16 at Edgbaston.

Marnus Labuschagne | GettyMarnus Labuschagne is confident of Australia’s impressive performance in the upcoming Ashes series against England, considering the increased stability in their squad.

Australia will take on India in the World Test Championship at the Oval from June 7 to 11, while the Ashes 2023 is due to get underway on June 16 at Edgbaston.

In their last Ashes tour of England, Australia drew the series 2-2. Four years ago, the Australian team was in a state of flux following the return of Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft to the squad after serving the ball-tampering ban.

"In 2019, we weren't as set on the team and there was probably a lot more questions about people coming back in," Labuschagne said, as quoted by news agency Reuters.

"That was Steve, Dave and Cameron's first entry back into Test cricket, there wasn't that much stability, even with our bowlers.

"We played three or four different bowling attacks in three games, so there's a lot more clarity around our team which I think creates that consistency ... It creates the preparation instead of people playing for spots and thinking that they're vying for a position.

"Everyone knows where they sit, so we can prepare and get ourselves ready."

During the 2019 series, Labuschagne caught everyone’s attention when he was introduced in the second Test at Lord's as a concussion replacement for Smith.

He helped the Australians retain the Ashes before playing a prominent role in the 4-0 series victory over England in 2021/22.

"In 2019, I felt like I almost had to prove to people I was good enough," he said.

"For me now, it's just about making sure I do my role in the side and work out ways to score runs, it doesn't matter what the conditions are.

"Mentally I'm as hungry as ever and want us to win this series ... I really feel like we let one slip last time we were here, and hopefully we can amend that."

(With Reuters Inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 04 Jun, 2023

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