After a stellar year in Test cricket followed by a double century in the first Test in 2020, Marnus Labuschagne is awaiting his ODI debut in India and he has the complete backing of his skipper, Aaron Finch.
Since coming on as a substitute in the Ashes, Labuschagne has 1190 runs in 8 Tests at an average of 85. He topped the run charts in 2019 in Tests and Finch thinks that his seamless transition to Tests should help him in ODIs too.
“We know that he’s not going to be overawed by the occasion. He’s come back into Test cricket after missing out at the start of the Ashes and he’s been unbelievable, so hopefully he can continue that. The form that he showed in the one-day games was outstanding domestically,” Finch said on Thursday.
“He’s averaging up around 40 there batting at three, batting at four for Queensland on what’s been traditionally a little bit tougher batting conditions over the last couple of years in domestic cricket. Playing on some slower wickets that spin quite a bit, to be able to come in and do that role really well for Queensland is obviously what’s got him a place in the side, as well as his current form. I don’t see why it wouldn’t translate,” Finch said.
Finch went on to state about Glenn Maxwell and Shaun Marsh, who aren’t part of the team, but are still in contention. Finch pointed at Maxwell’s match-winning 59* off 37 against Sydney Thunder and suggested that the all-rounder’s future in ODIs is not over yet.
“People look at [that innings] and they see the results and see all the sixes and all the big hitting, but the way he approached it last night was very clinical. The way that he gave himself a bit of a chance early and then dominated late. Once he’s in, you can’t bowl to him anywhere. He’s got an answer to everything,” Finch said.
“It [the door] is never closed, but when you’re picking a side there has to be a spot there. It just comes down to being in the right place at the right time and having the right match-up. You can only pick so many top-three batters. Guys that have been a part of the squad, Shaun Marsh for example, was disappointed as well after playing some great cricket for the last couple of years, but anyone who misses out is disappointed,” Finch said.