Why Marnus Labuschagne can’t be ruled out of Test calculations

As sure as his unwavering faith in his religion, Marnus Labuschagne’s unmatched hunger for perfection guarantees he will go down swinging in the fight for Test spots.

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As Marnus Labuschagne fights for his place in the Test side, the one certainty is he will go down swinging.

And swinging and swinging and swinging.

Even if they’re just defensive shots, Labuschagne is the all-action competitor that coaches have consistently had to tell to stop training.

Most pundits have already written Labuschagne out of their line-up for the first Test of the summer against India, and after scores of 11, 10, 3 and 28 in Shield cricket since returning from his debut series against Pakistan in the UAE, it’s true that he needs a performance of substance against NSW’s all-Australian bowling attack to hold his place.

Marnus Labuschagne’s determination is unmatched. Picture: Getty

But if runs do materialise against the likes of Starc and Hazlewood as Queensland takes on NSW at Manuka Oval, Labuschagne suddenly becomes a difficult man to drop.

Labuschagne finished second behind Nathan Lyon against Pakistan on the wicket-taking count, made more runs every time he came out to bat, top scored in the last innings and whether it was run-outs or shot-leg catches – the 24-year-old has an uncanny knack of always being where the action is.

“My faith definitely helps my game. It puts a bit of perspective on what you’re doing”

It’s no accident.

Labuschagne is the first international cricketer renowned coach Neil D’Costa has taken on since his mentorship of the late Phillip Hughes, and he has been reinvigorated by Queensland’s Energiser Bunny.

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“I’ve worked with a lot of guys and I will do three sessions with three different blokes in a day,” said D’Costa.

“Whereas Marnus would do the lot. Marnus would do the six-hour session. Obviously now he’s a professional he has to learn how to switch that on and off. But if Marnus is going to the nets he’s going to hit as many balls as he can. He’s that type of guy.

“One day at North Sydney Oval he batted with my son Taylor on the outskirts of the field for the entire day. We batted for three sessions and he batted for three sessions.

“At one stage he was eating a sandwich and batting at the same time.

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“He comes and stays with me and recently it was my niece’s birthday party and he played hallway cricket with all the kids all day and all night.

“He is in love with life.”

When Labuschagne missed out with the bat on Test debut, he remained philosophical – his focus entirely on his other contributions to the team and his resolve reinforced by the strength of his religious beliefs.

Labuschagne has scripture verses written by his mother on the souls of his boots and has a sticker of an Eagle on the blade of his bat as a symbol of an inspirational Bible passage.

Marnus Labuschagne has a chance to secure a Test spot against NSW. Picture: AAP

Born in South Africa and arriving at school in Brisbane unable to speak a word of English, Labuschagne’s journey is defined by resilience and courage under fire.

“My faith definitely helps my game. It puts a bit of perspective on what you’re doing,” said Labuschagne.

“The pressures of cricket and international cricket is high and I just find that it helps knowing there’s other things out there. Playing for Australia is amazing but my faith is something I hold really firm (no matter what).”

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