Marnus Labuschagne ready to take leading role in WTC Final against India
Labuschagne enters the one-off clash 32 points ahead at the top of the ICC MRF Tyres Batting Rankings and will be keen to add to his already impressive resume by leading Australia to a first World Championship title in south London.
The Australia No.3 managed only one half-century during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India on the sub-continent and is aiming to produce a better performance this time around.
Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne on how he is preparing for the ICC World Test Championship Final and the Ashes
"Naturally, anyone that is batting No.3 for Australia is going to have responsibility,” Labuschagne said.
“Even in 2019 (last time in England for Ashes) it was my responsibility, it was my job to score runs and if I didn’t score runs they would find someone else to do my job and I don’t think that changes.
“It is about finding ways to score runs and contribute to the side in as many games as I can.”
While many of his teammates remained in Asia to play in the Indian Premier League, Labuschagne has been in Europe for the last two months and acclimatising for the World Test Championship Final and upcoming Ashes series with a stint at English County side Glamorgan.
Labuschagne looked in great touch when scoring two centuries and a total of 504 runs from eight innings with the Welsh County side and is confident his time with Glamorgan will help him find his best form over the coming months.
ICC World Test Championship 2023 Final from 7 to 11 June at The Oval.
"I have been coming back for five years now,” Labuschagne said.
"It is just part of my normal routine of coming here.
"I love coming here, I love playing County cricket, I love the team at Glamorgan, I enjoy it so much otherwise I wouldn’t be coming back.
"It just helps that this year is a Test Championship Final and Ashes year so it is very helpful for leading into the series."
And while it was India's plethora of quality spinners that proved the difference during the most recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Labuschagne believes it may be their underrated pace attack that causes him the most problems this time around.
Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj form a formidable pace duo for India, while Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat are also in contention to play at The Oval alongside recalled all-rounder Shardul Thakur.
"Two months ago we played against India, so in terms of seeing them and knowing their actions and what they do we are pretty clear on that,” Labuschagne said.
“With the Dukes ball in their hand they are going to be able to showcase their skills a lot more.”