Marnus Labuschagne made a strong push for selection in Australia’s Ashes side by scoring his fourth century in five innings on Thursday, reinforcing his case for a return to the Test team ahead of the opening match against England.
The Queensland captain, who was omitted from the mid-year tour of the West Indies following a prolonged dip in form, returned with conviction. Batting at number three, he struck 159 from 197 deliveries against South Australia. Usman Khawaja, likely to open in the Ashes, contributed a steady 46.
Labuschagne’s latest innings followed his 160 in the opening Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania and two one-day centuries earlier in the season.
The 31-year-old partnered with Khawaja in the World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa at Lord’s in June. However, former players including David Warner and Matthew Hayden have urged a return to Labuschagne’s regular position at number three.
Such a move could see Cameron Green drop to number six and Beau Webster left out, though the identity of Khawaja’s opening partner remains uncertain.
Sam Konstas, the current opener, has struggled. After a poor West Indies series, he fell for a four-ball duck for New South Wales against Victoria on Wednesday. Scores of four and 14 against Western Australia last week have added to selectors’ concerns ahead of the first Test in Perth on 21 November.
