How becoming a dad helped a test star be a better cricketer

AUSTRALIAN test superstar Marnus Labuschagne has admitted the birth of his child in late September has been instrumental in his recent run of form.

Labuschagne got off to a hot start in Australia’s summer of cricket, smashing the West Indies for a combined 502 runs across four innings in the convincing 2-0 test series win.

With two centuries and one double century, Labuschagne has moved up to number one on the ICC test batting rankings, overtaking Steve Smith and Babar Azam.

Speaking to SEN Labuschagne admitted the arrival of his child has forced him to put his focus away from cricket and has led to his improved form.

“I’m always sort of tinkering with my game trying to get better and trying to change things to make sure I’m always ready for the challenges ahead,” he said on SEN 1170 The Run Home.

“But probably becoming a dad has helped me switch off when I’m away from the game a little bit than previously, that part has helped me when I’m away from the game to not always be thinking about cricket and not diving as deep as I do normally.”

Labuschagne admitted to taking a page out of Steve Smith’s book and practiced his batting form whilst in a hotel.

“Frequently the boys will shoot up messages in the group chat and blame either Steve [Smith] or I for tapping the bat,” Labuschagne said.

“I’ve had many messages where it’s about 11 o’clock at night and Glenn Maxwell is below and he messaged me ‘mate can you shut the hell up’.

“It’s been documented very clearly that I’m a cricket tragic and that I love to dig deep into the game.”

– BY DOMINIC CRINITI/ SEN