Labuschagne makes emphatic Ashes case with another ton
Key Takeaways
- Marnus Labuschagne scored 159 for Queensland, leading them to 319 for 6 against South Australia.
- Labuschagne's century is his fourth in his last five innings across all formats, bolstering his claim for the Ashes team.
- Queensland holds a 91-run lead over South Australia's first innings total of 228.
- Selectors are now debating where to bat Labuschagne in the Australian Test side, with his preference being number three.
- The strong performance of Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald (94 for Tasmania) narrows the options for the opening batting spot.
Marnus Labuschagne continued his stellar run of form by scoring 159 for Queensland against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, helping his side reach 319 for 6 and secure a 91-run lead before bad light ended play on day two. This century marks his fourth in his last five innings across all formats, strongly suggesting his return to the Australian Test team for the upcoming Ashes series opener on November 21st. Australia coach Andrew McDonald had recently noted Labuschagne was nearing his best form, which was evident in his controlled batting display featuring 18 boundaries. The primary selection dilemma facing the selectors is where to slot Labuschagne, as he prefers batting at number three, his current position for Queensland. If he moves to open alongside Usman Khawaja, it could affect the positions of other contenders like Cameron Green or Beau Webster, highlighting the depth of batting decisions ahead of the first Test in Perth.
