Marnus Labuschagne says he's ready for the challenge of emulating his Test form in the one-day game.
The Australian batsman has enjoyed a fruitful home summer and has been rewarded with a call-up to the ODI side. He is set to make his ODI debut in India this week.
Australia take on India in Mumbai on Tuesday in the first of a three-game ODI series.
India are favourites to take an early lead in the series. They can be backed at 1.67 (4/6) with bet365 to bag the win at Wankhede.
Australia can be backed at 2.20 (6/5) to return to winning ways in the one-day format. It is their first showing since a World Cup semi-final defeat to England last year.
Labuschagne ready to take one-day opportunity
Twenty-five-year-old Labuschagne is keen to also dominate across all forms of the game.
“It's nice to get an opportunity in this format, it's a format I really enjoy,” Labuschagne told AAP.
“My one-day game has just developed over time.
“There are not many people who are so dominant in all three formats,” he said.
“For me I’ve had a nice start this summer in Test cricket, but looking at the likes of Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, those guys are dominating two or three of the formats. That’s my challenge.”
The quest should be less daunting for the Queenslander seeing it was his form in the national 50-over competition that initially brought him to the attention of the national selectors.
It earned him the selection in Australia A’s one-day team touring India in 2018. However, he quickly moved to red-ball cricket instead to replace the injured Matt Renshaw.
“Everything turned upside down,” said Labuschagne.
“I played this series and immediately went to the UAE (and was selected for a Test debut). And everything went from there.”
Labuschagne has also been backed by Aaron Finch to continue his progress into ODIs.
He added: “The form he showed in one-day games was outstanding domestically.
“I don’t see why it wouldn’t translate.”
