‘Marn’s a lot like me,’ says Steve Smith as he backs struggling Labuschagne amid selection concerns

Steve Smith has reflected on his impressive resurgence as a leading Test batter while also backing Marnus Labuschagne in his quest to secure his spot for the upcoming World Test Championship final.

Smith highlighted his commanding return to the game after being named player of the series against Sri Lanka on Sunday, marking Australia’s first Test series victory in Sri Lanka since 2011.

When Smith stepped out to bat at the Gabba against India last December, he was seeking his first Test century in 24 attempts.

However, he has since struck an impressive four Test centuries in just eight innings, including scores of 101 in Brisbane, 104 in Melbourne, 141 in Galle, and another 131 at the same venue.

His first runs in the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy also brought him to the significant milestone of 10,000 runs in Test cricket.

“Even during my dry spell, I kept telling you [the journalists] that I was actually batting quite well,” Smith stated following the second Test against Sri Lanka.

“Things can change rapidly with a bit of luck. In the first innings of the first Test here, I was dropped on 1 and went on to score big; if luck had gone the other way, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

“Once you start getting good scores, you begin to read the bowlers better and feel more at ease. For me, that turning point was at the Gabba. Scoring well there helped me settle in, getting into a rhythm by facing plenty of deliveries.”

Smith also attributed his revival to “trusting” his training and acknowledging that “the game has its ups and downs”.

Labuschagne enjoyed a small personal victory as Australia chased down 75 runs for success in Galle on Sunday, scoring 26 not out and hitting the winning runs.

He struggled in Australia’s first innings, falling for 4 after off-spinner Prabath Jayasuriya skidded a delivery that struck his back pad, leading to an lbw decision despite the initial non-call from the umpire. A review showed that the ball would have hit the leg stump.

Labuschagne had reached the pinnacle of the men’s Test batting rankings in December 2022, amassing 3041 runs at an average of 60.82, including ten centuries.

However, since the onset of Australia’s 2022-23 series against South Africa, he has only accumulated 1355 Test runs at an average of 30.79, with just one century to his name.

Currently, he finds himself ranked 14th in the Test batting standings.

Despite this, Smith extended his backing to Labuschagne following Australia’s nine-wicket victory in Galle.

“Marnus and I share similarities,” Smith remarked.

“I believe he has been batting well throughout the summer, and there’s a distinction between being out of runs and being out of form. I’ve observed Marnus in training and during matches; the good things in his game are still evident. Form can change quickly, and while he aims to score more runs, so do we all, I think a turnaround is imminent.”

The Australian team will next compete in a Test as they aim to defend their World Test Championship title against South Africa at Lord’s in June.