Inside the concussion Q&A test Marnus Labuschagne now knows off by heart

After being struck on the head multiple times this Ashes series, Marnus Labuschagne has got used to answering the same four questions posed by Australian team doctor Richard Saw to check he’s OK to play on.

• Report; Root’s captain’s knock has England dreaming
• Gone in 67! Anatomy of an England batting collapse
• Smith back in nets to give Aussies huge Ashes boost
• Bite-sized Ashes: History lessons calm any Aussie nerves

These are the four questions that Marnus Labuschagne answered correctly to prove he wasn’t concussed and so he could continue raining blows on England’s bowlers at Leeds.

Who is the bowler at the other end? Who was the last wicket? How was he out? And, who are you playing against?

“Look – you don’t want to get that one wrong (who are you playing against),” Labuschagne laughed.

Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >

“You’re only playing one team, so if you get that one wrong you’re probably getting marched off.”

Marnus Labuschagne gest knocked down but keeps getting up again this Ashes series.

Labuschagne, 25, has undergone that many concussion tests since he became Test cricket’s first concussion substitute that Cricket Australia doctor Richard Saw barely needs to ask the questions.

“He (Dr Saw) comes out and it’s just like, ‘Doc, I’m all right. I’m good’. I think he knows now, and if I do get hit properly there’ll be a clear difference,” Labuschagne said.

“I’m getting pretty good at answering the questions, I remember the questions from two days ago!”

At Leeds on day three, Dr Saw quizzed Marnus on the pitch twice within 20 deliveries he faced. The second time, after an angling Jofra Archer bouncer followed Labuschagne, looked nasty.

Labuschagne has worn plenty from England’s pace bowlers, most notably the quickfire Jofra Archer.

There was also little Australia’s unlikely Ashes hero could do to stop it cannoning into the bottom of his grille.

“To be fair, today’s was a bit stiff,” Labuschagne said.

“That ball came back a long way, I kept trying to sway and sway and sway and I ran out of room. My back’s not that flexible.

“You obviously don’t like getting hit in the head, but it definitely wakes you up. Luckily the last few have just been glancing blows.”

Mitchell Starc landed an “on-the-money” bouncer on Labuschagne in the nets on Tuesday and he was also sconned by Archer in his second delivery at Lord’s last Sunday.

Captain Tim Paine reckons the cricket-loving Queenslander likes getting hit on the head. He doesn’t, but he’s also developing a steely reputation for bouncing to his feet.

In between wearing bouncers, Labuschagne is also making a habit of landing blows on England.

In three Ashes innings he’s compiled 59 at Lord’s and 74 and 80 at Leeds, where he is in the box seat to be man-of-the-match.

Labuschagne has landed a few blows of his own, however, striking three half centuries in a row.

Labuschagne is made of the right stuff. Small in stature but filled with character, and you get the sense coach Justin Langer loves that.

Josh Hazlewood reckons he’s got “some good guts and he’s a fighter”.

David Warner was astounded at the advice Labuschagne, seven years and 70 Tests his junior, offered during their century stand on day one.

“He kept telling me about being disciplined and making sure I’m holding my shape, which was great getting reassurance from a youngster,” Warner said.

Labuschagne’s batting has been superb, and his toughness in adversity has also endeared him to fans.

With Labuschagne set to replace Smith at Lord’s last week, Paine drove to the ground early to drag him out of the nets and deliver the news his Ashes debut was just hours away.

Labuschagne – who also offered Nathan Lyon batting advice in the nets – rode his luck in the second innings at Leeds, dropped three times as well as nicking Ben Stokes off a slight no-ball, but they also say you make your own luck.

And, after signing at Glamorgan and becoming the first player to smash 1000 County Cricket runs this season, Labuschagne was due for the rub of the green.

“Obviously when you’re scoring runs you feel more part of it,” he said.

“You feel like you’re getting to know your game a bit better. I’m showing more discipline, which is good.”

Marnus has stepped into Steve Smith’s shoes and, in three short innings, gone from fill-in to shoo-in.

In fact, the pair of No. 4s have scored 591 runs at 98.5 this series, while every other Aussie has combined for 876 runs at just 15.9.

Now it’ll be another batsman making way for Smith next Test match.