AUSTRALIAN test superstar Marnus Labuschagne has admitted the birth of his child in late September has been instrumental in his recent run of form.<\/p>\n
Labuschagne got off to a hot start in Australia\u2019s summer of cricket, smashing the West Indies for a combined 502 runs across four innings in the convincing 2-0 test series win.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m always sort of tinkering with my game trying to get better and trying to change things to make sure I\u2019m always ready for the challenges ahead,\u201d he said on SEN 1170 The Run Home.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut probably becoming a dad has helped me switch off when I\u2019m away from the game a little bit than previously, that part has helped me when I\u2019m away from the game to not always be thinking about cricket and not diving as deep as I do normally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Labuschagne admitted to taking a page out of Steve Smith\u2019s book and practiced his batting form whilst in a hotel.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrequently the boys will shoot up messages in the group chat and blame either Steve [Smith] or I for tapping the bat,\u201d Labuschagne said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had many messages where it\u2019s about 11 o\u2019clock at night and Glenn Maxwell is below and he messaged me \u2018mate can you shut the hell up\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been documented very clearly that I\u2019m a cricket tragic and that I love to dig deep into the game.\u201d<\/p>\n