Pair’s new friendship producing dividends

MARNUS Labuschagne is following in Steve Smith’s footsteps with the new Australian star’s tight-knit friendship with the world’s best a key to his success.

Labuschagne will arrive for Friday’s pink-ball Test against Pakistan as the talk of the town in Adelaide, having shown himself to be an answer for Australia’s at No.3.

The 25-year-old is now averaging 60.5 in the position across six innings, highlighted by his breakthrough century at the Gabba on Saturday.

He is also on top of the world this year for runs in firstclass cricket, with his 2266 some 643 clear of Englishman Dom Sibley in second spot.

Labuschagne’s new-found success can be put down to many things. He slightly altered his technique as part of a vital County stint with Glamorgan, where he was the first player in the competition to 1000 runs last winter.

He’s had coaching both sides of the globe with some of the world’s best, ranging from Michael Clarke and Phillip Hughes’ old mentor Neil D’Costa to former England Test player Matthew Maynard.

The Queenslander’s 129 days of cricket between November 2018 and November 2019 were also the most of any elite player across the world according to a Cricinfo survey.

But crucially, according to coach Justin Langer, he is also learning from the very best through his close bond with the former Australian captain.

“The most heartening thing is his relationship with Steve Smith, the best player in the world,” Langer said.

“Literally all they do is talk cricket.

“They eat together, they have breakfast and lunch together. They have dinner together talking cricket.”