LABUSCHAGNE VOWS TO EARN LONG-TERM SPOT IN AUSSIE SQUAD

Labuschagne vows to wear baggy green for years to come

MARNUS Labuschagne has explained the freakish set of circumstances which opened the door for him in Test cricket, and has pledged his elevation won’t be a one-off.

Disappointed but far from deterred by his lack of runs on Test debut, Labuschagne has outlined a searing focus to nail down his opportunity and help end Australia’s sevenyear losing streak on Asian soil.

Labuschagne’s extraordinary road to selection as one of Australia’s biggest Test bolters started when he wasn’t even originally part of the Australia A squad.

The 24-year-old was in India as a one-day player only, and was issued with four separate plane tickets home for successive days before he finally got a call-up to the first four-day game on match morning which was to prove a selection trial for the Test series against Pakistan.

Injury to Matt Renshaw, runs at the right time and a captivating attitude and work ethic ultimately led to the planets aligning and Labuschagne being presented his baggy green cap by Mike Hussey.

Labuschagne admits that his journey to a series decider against Pakistan has been surreal but the No.6, looking to bounce back from a duck and 13 in Dubai, declared the stunning nature of his shot at the big time has only made him more determined to not let it slip.

“It never really sunk in until I was here on a Test tour walking around and Starcy is there and Lyono is there and, ‘shucks, I’m actually here’,” Labuschagne said.

“But spot on. Cricket is all about opportunities. You look back at history and it’s all about taking an opportunity, somewhere.

“As long as I’ve got an opportunity … then it’s my job to take it. I’m here. There’s obviously belief I could do it.

“You’re not going to score runs every game but it’s making sure, if it’s my turn to step up on that day, that I’m really stepping up to the challenge and doing my job for the team.”

Labuschagne has been nicknamed “Sangos’’ by Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc due to a theory that the cricket-obsessed kid from Klerksdorp, South Africa survives on eating cricket-ball sandwiches.

The talented all-rounder made a huge contribution with his part-time leg-spin and sharp fielding, and has a better bowling average than Shane Warne did after his first Test.

But after making a duck in his first dig, Labuschagne admits there was a fear factor to overcome.

“Yes I would have loved some more runs. No debutant wants a pair on debut. But not everyone is going to score runs every game, so for me it keeps me making sure I’m learning, not making the same mistakes again and making sure when I do get in, that I capitalise on that partnership with whoever it is,” he said.

“Making sure we see the key moments. That first Test wasn’t to be with the bat, but I just try to contribute as much everywhere else that I can. That’s how I’ve always played.

“I love trying to do all three facets of the game.”

Hussey had never even seen Labuschagne bat before presenting him with his maiden cap. “Everything you hear about from people is he’s just a brilliant guy,” Hussey said.