Despite being left out of Australia's original World Cup selection earlier this month, Marnus Labuschagne is adamant that he is the best option for the No. 4 spot in the ODI team. The Queensland cricketer's ambition to retake his position in the squad was underlined when he was recalled following Steve Smith's wrist injury, opening the route for his inclusion in the next South African white-ball tour.
Labuschagne, who had been replaced in the initial team by West Australian all-rounder Aaron Hardie, said that his recent one-day form had not met his personal expectations. However, he showed desire to take the opportunity to secure the No. 4 slot during the upcoming South Africa tour.
"I've got no doubt that I'm still the right person for Australia to bat in that middle order, but at the end of the day, you have to show it with performances, and hopefully South Africa can be an opportunity for me to show that," Labuschagne said to Fox Cricket.
When asked about his performance, Labuschagne admitted, "I had to look at my one-day performance, and it wasn't up to the standard that I uphold." He also stated that his priority was to contribute to the team's overall success.
The potential of Labuschagne as a match-winner has not gone unnoticed, with chair of selectors George Bailey seeing his capacity to play a key part in the ODI team. "We know Marnus at his best is good enough to hold down a spot in the one-day team," Bailey said, "we just haven't seen enough of it consistently in the role that we'd like him to do."
Labuschagne's ODI career has included important accomplishments including as his first ODI century against South Africa in March 2020. However, he has struggled to sustain a regular performance record, particularly at No. 4.
As he prepares for his South Africa tour, Labuschagne is determined to make the most of this chance. "It's still about the team; it's not just about my choice." "It's about starting to play really good one-day cricket for Australia, about starting to put together really good performances as a team," he stated.
The next trip provides an opportunity for Labuschagne to reinforce his role as a vital player and cement his place in the team ahead of Australia's tentative 15-man World Cup squad announcement next month. The first One-Day International (ODI) between South Africa and Australia is set to begin on September 7 in Bloemfontein.