Silence the critics: Marnus ready to open against England

MARNUS Labuschagne says his axing from Australia’s Test side has reignited his Ashes ambitions, three months out from the series opener against England.

The Queenslander was dropped for the West Indies tour in June after 53 consecutive Tests, averaging under 100 in his last 16 innings. He was replaced by teenager Sam Konstas, who managed just 50 runs at 8.33 – the lowest average by an Australian opener in a West Indies Test series since 1984.

While selectors weigh up their top-order options, Labuschagne says his focus is on facing England in Perth on November 21.

“It was tough because you never want to be dropped but almost as soon as their words came out my mind shifted straight away to, ‘OK, how am I playing the Ashes … how do I make that happen?'” he told News Corp.

“I averaged around 60 for a three or four-year period but for the last year or two I just haven’t been at my best. I still found ways to contribute but I wasn’t moving into the ball or scoring where I wanted.

“This has given me an opportunity to reflect without the pressure of the media saying, ‘Marnus has got to go’.”

SEN’s Bharat Sundaresan believes Labuschagne is a lock at No 3, though others have left him out of predicted line-ups.

For Labuschagne, the challenge is part of the job.

“There is a tipping point but it’s something I thrive on … proving the doubters wrong,” he said. “Missing those West Indies Tests gave me the chance to go back and think, ‘This is where I want to be and this is how I’m going to get there’.

“The important thing is that the communication between George and Andrew on where we want my game to get to and how we are going to do it has been great.”

BY SEN / TNG