In for the long haul

Labuschagne won’t give up place without a fight

QUEENSLAND Bulls batsman Marnus Labuschagne has revealed the circumstances that opened the door for his Test debut and vowed he won’t be a one-tour wonder.

Disappointed but unfazed by his twin failures in the first Test against Pakistan, Labuschagne is focused on nailing down his golden opportunity and helping end Australia’s seven-year losing streak in Asia.

Labuschagne’s road to selection as one of Australia’s biggest Test bolters started when he wasn’t picked for the original Australia A squad in August.

The 24-year-old was in India as a one-day player only, and was issued with four separate plane tickets home. On the morning of the first four-day game he was called into the side in what was an unlikely selection trial for the Test series against Pakistan.

Injury to Matt Renshaw, runs at the right time and an excellent attitude and worth ethic led to the planets aligning and Labuschagne being presented his baggy green cap by Michael Hussey.

The Bulls batsman said his journey to a series decider against Pakistan felt surreal but he was looking to bounce back from a duck and 13 at No.6 in Dubai and was determined to not let his opportunity slip through his fingers.

“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.

“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 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.” belief I