Labuschagne hits 1000 county runs with a ton

TEST incumbent Marnus Labuschagne has kept himself in the Ashes conversation, celebrating passing 1000 runs for the county season with another century.

Labuschagne created history last week when he became the first Glamorgan player to hit centuries in both innings of a county match in 14 years.

The 25-year-old backed up his first-innings 106 against Worcestershire with an even 100 in the second innings in Cardiff, to make the first twin centuries of his first-class career.

Labuschagne, a last-minute signing as cover for Shaun Marsh, has now posted five tons from nine matches in the second division of England’s domestic competition. Meanwhile his effort to reach four figures for the county championship year makes him the first player to pass 1000 runs this season.

The right-hander, who featured in Australia’s past three Tests, was expected to be overlooked in the Ashes squad that will be named later this month on the eve of the series opener that starts on August 1.

His mountain of runs, coupled with some tidy spells of leg spin bowling, may force a rethink. Labuschagne will soon have a better idea of where he sits in the pecking order, with selectors mulling over who to call in for the contest between Australia and Australia A that starts on July 23 and will be an Ashes selection trial.

Labuschagne and Cameron Bancroft, who scored 158 while captaining Durham in a recent match, were both notably left out of the Australia A squad that is currently in England.

However, chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns noted at the time that “we have made it clear that strong form with their county teams will be taken into account”.

If Hohns’ panel sticks with Nathan Lyon as the sole tweaker in the touring party then Labuschagne’s legspinners could help get him across the line, having been praised as a point of difference by selectors and skipper Tim Paine.

Labuschagne, who will soon be replaced at Glamorgan by World Cup squad member Marsh, feels ready to play a role with the ball.

“It’s good that I’ve come over here, got used to the conditions, got used to the Dukes ball,” he told cricket.com.au.