Run-hungry Marnus happy to wait for leadership role
MARNUS Labuschagne is happy to bide his time for an official leadership role in Australia’s Test team as he focuses on starring with the bat in the Ashes series.
Despite being touted as a possible contender to be elevated to Australia’s vice-captaincy role, Labuschagne was not interviewed for a leadership position following the end of Tim Paine’s reign in charge.
With Pat Cummins stepping up from vice-captain to become Australia’s new skipper, former captain Steve Smith was appointed deputy, as was the wish of the fast bowler.
And that’s fine with Labuschagne, who will concentrate on scoring a mountain of runs when the Ashes starts at the Gabba on Wednesday.
“I wasn’t disappointed,” the Queensland Bulls run-machine said on being overlooked for a leadership position. There are two very good leaders and very good candidates, and they’re the right people for the job right now.
“My job is to concentrate on scoring runs consistently for Australia. I’m happy for that to be my role for now.
“Both those guys are going to work together really well, and you certainly don’t need the title to still be a leader within the group.”
Asked if he had future aspirations to become Australia’s vice-captain or captain, Labuschagne said he “doesn’t look too far ahead”.
“For me it’s just concentrating on this series,” he said. “The captaincy and vice-captaincy is something that you don’t search for. It’s something that comes to you. If it does come … I’ll be thankful and if it doesn’t, I’ll also be happy but I’ll just be hopefully scoring runs for Australia.”
Labuschagne, 27, has already scored 1885 Test runs for Australia in just 18 matches at the average of 60.80.
His battle with veteran England paceman Jimmy Anderson, who has taken 632 Test wickets – the most by any fast bowler – has Labuschagne excited ahead of the first Test.
“It’s going to be great fun. I really can’t wait for that challenge to face Jimmy,” he said.
“I’ve spoken about his quality as a player a lot. You don’t take that many wickets and be England’s best ever without being quality.
“It’s going to be a really exciting challenge for the Ashes.”