Australia's Marnus Labuschagne would like to emulate Indian captain Virat Kohli and other prolific batsman.
Labuschagne enjoyed a superb stretch of form during 2019 and is averaging over 63 in Test cricket. He has struck four centuries in international cricket and was recently selected for Australia's ODI squad for the upcoming series against India.
Born in South Africa before moving to Australia, he will likely be part of the squad for the 2020-21 Ashes series. Bet365 have priced Australia at 1.50 to win that Ashes series.
“You look at the guys I look up to and aspire to – Steve Smith, Kohli, Kane Williamson, Joe Root. They've been doing it for a very long time, five, six years they've been consistent, not just in one format, but two or more formats,” Labuschagne told ESPNcricinfo.
“So for me personally there's a lot to learn and a lot to grow, because I've had some success this summer but the real challenge for me is to be more consistent going on and being able to keep putting continued performances on the board.”
The talented right-hander would like to continue this rich run of form at first-class level. First, though, his limited-overs credentials need to be proven in ODI cricket. Labuschagne has a List A average of under 38 after 33 fixtures.
“If I can continue to do that, then that's obviously going to be the challenge for me, and getting an opportunity in this one-day series is an opportunity for me to show a slightly different part of my game that we haven't seen this summer, but that's a really exciting challenge too,” he added.
Labuschagne draws Hussey example
Labuschagne noted former Australia batsman Michael Hussey's career as an example to follow. Hussey was a relatively permanent fixture in the Test and ODI during an eight-year international career that ended in 2013.
“With the opportunities that might come in the next few months, we'll have to see, but definitely Hussey is a great person to learn from. The way he played the one-day game, the way he finished off the innings and the way he probably started his innings,” he concluded.
“There are a few similarities there, but I'm definitely not comparing myself to Hussey. My job is to just enjoy these next couple of weeks and then we'll go from there.”
