Former world No.1 Test batter Marnus Labuschagne cracked a 57-ball hundred for Queensland club side Redlands on Tuesday (September 2), as he attempts to win his Test spot back in time for the Ashes.
The opener's innings featured six sixes as he finished unbeaten against University of Queensland in the Queensland T20 Max competition. Redlands were chasing 195 to win, Labuschagne having conceded figures of 0-37 in the four overs he bowled. Opening the innings he made up for being expensive with the ball, hitting 13 boundaries with no other batter able to make more than 31.
"When you've been short of runs, it doesn't matter where you score them, you just want to be out there in the middle getting that feel," Labuschagne told cricket.com.au. "If you're playing for your grade club, if you're playing for Australia, if you're playing for Queensland, there's still a level of importance for whoever you're playing."
Listen in as @marnus3cricket smashes 100* off 57 balls (7x4s, 6x6s) for Redlands while mic’d up!#T20MAX pic.twitter.com/Pv1EVzIk8p
— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) September 3, 2025
Labuschagne lost his place in Australia's Test side following their loss in the World Test Championship final in June. Slipping out of the XI followed a prolonged dip in form since he was ranked as the ICC's No.1 Test batter in the world in 2021-2022, and then again in 2023. However, Labuschagne's Test runs have dwindled over the last couple of years, and in four Test matches this year he has a high score of 26*.
For Australia's Test tour of the Caribbean from late June to July, Labuschagne was replaced at the top of the order by Sam Konstas. Teenage prodigy Konstas, however, did not nail down his spot, out four times for single figures in the series, leaving a question mark over who will occupy the second opener position for the Ashes in three months time. With the Sheffield Shield set to begin early next month, at which point the final shootout to make Australia's starting XI will begin, Labuschagne will switch over from Grade to State.
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