Marnus Labuschagne has made an undeniable statement to the Australian selectors, smashing back-to-back centuries in the Sheffield Shield to cement his claim for a Test recall ahead of the Ashes.
The former world No. 1 Test batter, who was axed from the Australian side in June, is now in red-hot form, registering his fourth century in his last five domestic innings for Queensland.
Labuschagne's latest dominant knock, an ongoing score of 159 against South Australia, follows his 160 against Tasmania, placing immense pressure on the selectors to include him in the XI for the first Test in Perth on November 21.
The irresistible weight of domestic runs
His current run began with two centuries in the 50-over format and has now extended into the long format with successive hundreds in the Sheffield Shield.
ANOTHER century for Marnus Labuschagne 👏 #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/suSMfoEByg
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 16, 2025
The 31-year-old's composure and control against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval demonstrated the "proactive" method the selectors and coach Andrew McDonald have been demanding from him.
McDonald recently gave Labuschagne's approach a "big tick," stating that he is "very confident" the batsman will return.
Labuschagne is certainly confident, recently telling The Athletic: “I'm very confident.
"I'm confident I’m going to score runs consistently and find myself back in that team for the first Test.”
Sam Konstas struggles to open the door for Marnus Labuschagne
Labuschagne’s resurgence is perfectly timed, contrasting sharply with the struggles of other Ashes hopefuls.
Incumbent opener Sam Konstas has endured a horror start to the Shield season, compounding his low-scoring tour of the West Indies with a four-ball duck against Scott Boland this week.
With the selection committee desperate to fill the opening spot left vacant by David Warner’s retirement, Labuschagne's runs offer a clear solution.
While his preferred position is No. 3, where he has scored all 11 of his Test centuries, many pundits now believe he will open alongside Usman Khawaja to solidify the top order.
The relentless weight of his performance makes his recall for the Ashes opener in Perth seem highly likely.
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