Marnus Labuschagne says Australia will have to be on top of their game to defend their World Test Championship crown against the Proteas at Lord’s next week.
The 30-year-old was part of the XI which defeated India by 209 runs at The Oval in 2023 to lift the trophy for the first time.
They now take on South Africa, the country of Labuschagne’s birth, at the conclusion of the third edition of the competition.
Australia last faced the Proteas in a Test series in 2022-23, with the hosts running out 2-0 winners Down Under.
The latest instalment has silverware on the line and Labuschagne is determined to leave London with his hands on it.
“South Africa have been a very good team in this cycle, on paper it’s a well-balanced side and they have some really nice players,” he said. “It will be a good challenge for us, and we are going to have to be on our game.
“Playing at Lord’s is always special with the history and what is involved with playing there. It’s going to be an awesome week and another great match.”
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Labuschagne believes the WTC has helped reinvigorate the game’s oldest format.
“It is an exciting tournament,” he said. “It means every Test you play has something on it, it brings all the countries into play, and anyone can make the final.
“It’s exciting to play in, you’re playing for a trophy at the end of a two-year cycle. I think it has worked great. Two years ago, when we beat India, it was awesome.
“I’m looking at it from a player’s perspective and it looks like the game is in a great place.
“Every time Test cricket is on, people want to watch it. India, Australia and England are probably carrying a bit of the load of Test cricket, but we really want to see all the countries keep producing great players and being part of upholding such an amazing tradition of Test cricket.”
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Labuschagne has been a lock-in as part of Australia’s top order since becoming Test cricket’s first-ever concussion substitute at Lord’s, the venue for the upcoming final, in the 2019 Ashes.
After 14 Tests, his average stood at 63.43 and he spent six months as the world’s top-ranked Test batsman from December 2021.
But runs have been harder to come by in recent times and he averages 28.33 in the current WTC cycle, with just one century.
He made valuable contributions against India in the Australian summer, however, with scores of 64 in Adelaide and 70 and 72 in Melbourne, and has been acclimatising to British conditions during his latest stint with Glamorgan, which has become something of a second home.
“I love playing with the guys here, they are close friends, and I love the environment at the club,” he said.
“The benefit of having a relationship with the club for six years is that you have the perks of being able to call the director of cricket and say: ‘this is what it looks like, is there a chance we can line this up’.
“Without that relationship, there might be some hesitancy, or you might not get someone in for two games. But that’s the benefit of the long-term commitment I have shown over the last six years.”
Labuschagne is not the only Australian impressing in the County Championship, with fit-again Cameron Green among the runs for Gloucestershire and all-rounder Beau Webster impressing with Warwickshire.
“I spoke to Greeny last week, he’s going well,” Labuschagne said. “I think he’s just enjoying being back playing and being able to be on the park after being out for as long as he was.
“I haven’t spoken too much to Beau but I’m sure we will reunite in the next week or so, get back on the golf course and have a bit of chat before we get ready for the final.
“It [county cricket] just stands you in good stead as you are out playing games, you are in that competitive mindset, and you get yourself in that headspace again.
“In a one-off game, to pull all that together and get it right in the first innings can feel like a lot to do. I personally prefer it to get a bit of preparation time in before a big game like this.”
Green’s return to fitness and form has given Australia’s selectors a dilemma as to the make-up of their batting order, with speculation Labuschagne may be moved up to open from his usual spot at No 3.
Teenage opener Sam Konstas, who made a 52-ball half-century on debut against India in December, is also part of the travelling squad and Labuschagne is excited to see how the latest cab off the Australian rank develops.
“He is a very talented player, and we haven’t seen the best of him by any stretch of the imagination,” he said. “He’s got time, and he is someone we are investing in. You can’t ever predict what the future holds but he is a very good player who will have a very good career.”
Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
