After being dropped from Australia's Test squad for July's series against the West Indies, Marnus Labuschagne has responded with three tons to kick off the summer.
Having once been a fixture of the men's Test setup, the 31-year-old has run into a rough patch of form in recent years, having not scored a Test hundred since the fourth Ashes Test of 2023.
In his place, Sam Konstas was the man charged with opening duties, partnering veteran batsman Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.
Labuschagne's bounce-back includes 130 runs off 118 deliveries and 105 runs off 91 deliveries in the one-day format.
He also notched 160 runs off 206 deliveries in Queensland's first and only innings against Tasmania last week in the Sheffield Shield.
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Where would Marnus bat if he makes the Ashes XI?
If Labuschagne builds on his momentum in the six weeks leading up to the first Ashes Test of the summer, his recall would most likely see him take back a spot as one of the openers.
Coach Andrew McDonald appears to be fairly settled on Khawaja being one opener, with Steve Smith and Travis Head assuming two positions in the middle order.
If Australia selects four bowlers and a wicket-keeper, that will result in a shoot-out between Labuschagne, Konstas, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, and a crop of Shield players looking to assert themselves into the three remaining jobs.
While Labuschagne did undo a lot of good will with Aussie fans after a disappointing couple of summers, his experience all over the batting order could give him the edge over his competition.
The goal is to always have your best six batsmen in the side, and the ability for Labuschagne to open, or play first, second or third drop, enables McDonald to move the other chess pieces around the board.
Queensland have three more Sheffield Shield matches before the first ball of the 2025/26 Ashes is bowled on November 21 for Labuschagne to make his case to the Australian selectors.