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Labuschagne breaks silence on being dropped, Ashes and criticism
SEN • August 10th, 2025 12:07 pm
- Ashes starts on Nov 21
- Marnus was dropped in June
- Starting XI is anyone's guess
Being dropped from Australia’s Test team for the tour of the West Indies could prove the best thing that ever happened to Marnus Labuschagne, who has spoken for the first time since being dropped in June.
The Queenslander was dropped by selectors after playing 53 consecutive Tests for his country. He failed to reach triple figures in the last 16 of those 53 matches.
In the West Indies he was replaced by teen Sam Konstas who endured a miserable series finishing with just 50 at an average of 8.33 - the lowest average by an Aussie opener in a Test tour of the West Indies since 1984.
While plenty has been written about Australia’s top order in recent months and whether Konstas, Usman Khawaja or Labuschagne are suitable options for the Ashes, the latter says he has been focused on just one thing – ensuring he faces England in November.
There are just over three months before the fist Ashes Test in Perth and Labuschagne is adamant that being out of the spotlight in the West Indies has strengthened his chances of selection.
“It was tough because you never want to be dropped but almost as soon as their words came out my mind shifted straight away to, “OK, how am I playing the Ashes … how do I make that happen?’’ he told News Corp.
“There were probably a few things. I averaged around 60 for a three or four-year period but for the last year or two I just haven’t been at my best.
“I still feel I found ways to contribute and was proud of the way I got in the contest, but I was not moving into the ball or scoring in areas where I wanted to score.
“This (being dropped) has given me an opportunity to reflect and not having the pressure of the media saying, 'Marnus has got to go’.”
Australia’s starting XI, let alone the order, for the November 21 Test is anyone’s guess.
SEN’s Bharat Sundaresan believes Labuschagne is a lock at No 3 while others have left him out of their predicted teams.
SEN’s Bharat Sundaresan believes Labuschagne is a lock at No 3 while others have left him out of their predicted teams.
For Labuschagne the pressure is a privilege and it’s what keeps him motivated.
“I mean that’s part of the game. There is a tipping point but it’s something I thrive on … proving the doubters wrong and being able to find a way,” he said.
“Missing those West Indies Tests gave me the chance to back and think, ‘This is where I want to be and this is how I’m going to get there’.
“It’s going really well. The important thing is that the communication between George and Andrew on where we want my game to get to and how we are going to so it has been great."
