Steve Smith has been very vocal in his support for Marnus Labuschagne after the Queensland player showed an amazing resurgence in his recent troubles. 

The Australian cricketer sent his teammate an emotional message, telling how much he admired the way Labuschagne reacted after being excluded from the Test team.

The Talking Point That Brought It All Out

Before the season started, Labuschagne made a daring promise to Smith. He stared at his older partner in the team and said that he would be in the Test team by the time the first match of the Ashes series was held. It was indeed a very bold statement as he had just been dropped from thesquad that was going to the Caribbean tour.

Smith reconfirmed this talk and pointed out how Labuschagne has categorically proven those words with his displays. The resolve that the 31-year-old has shown was not just empty words but a real promise he made and was determined to keep.

Numbers That Speak Volumes

Labuschagne’s recent form has been nothing short of exceptional. Here’s what makes his comeback so impressive:​

• Four centuries in just six innings across two formats​
• Scores of 160 and 159 in Sheffield Shield matches​
• Additional centuries of 130 and 105 in the One-Day Cup​
• Current average of 95.66 in recent domestic matches​

Smith described this run of form as a pretty big statement, especially for someone who had just been dropped from the national setup. The consistency and quality of these performances have been remarkable to watch.​

Simple Advice That Changed Everything

When Labuschagne was sent back, Smith offered him some very simple and clear advice that apparently was the key factor in his successful return. Smith advised his mate to quit worrying about the technical side and just play the way he was naturally doing. The essence of the advice was – observe the ball and respond to it without being tangled up in intricate thoughts. 

Labuschagne took this route and, besides being nicknamed a hard trainer who perhaps overthought during his innings, he slowly but surely traveled back to the point where he could feel the freedom that had made him a winner in the first place. 

What Lies Ahead?

Australia is likely to reveal their Ashes team after the third round of Shield games, starting on October 28, which will be the date for the big question: not whether Labuschagne is going to be part of the team, but where he is going to be placed in the batting order. 

There is talk of putting him at the top as an opener to share the job with Usman Khawaja. Smith dealt with this option and showed his total trust in his fellow player’s capacity to change. In Smith’s words, batting first does not vary much from the number three position where Labuschagne has always been so successful.

The Versatility Factor

Smith highlighted Labuschagne’s flexibility as a key strength. He pointed out that at number three, you could easily face the second ball of the innings anyway, so the transition would not require major changes. The advice from Smith was simple – keep the same approach, see the ball, hit it, and trust your natural instincts.​

Coach Andrew McDonald also gave Labuschagne high praise earlier this month. He was particularly impressed with the method and subtle changes the batter had made to his approach. The way Labuschagne went about his innings showed he was fresh mentally and making smart decisions.​

Training Smarter Not Harder

Labuschagne has heeded the call to revamp his preparation methods. He broke the wall that he was using for his training and “stepped into the door” where he mentally saw what he truly wanted. He even used an analogy about bashing through a wall versus simply opening the door and walking through.​

This smarter approach to training, alongside his natural hard work, was the ideal success formula. He worked closely with coaches and support staff who provided him with clarity and the ability to score runs consistently again.​

Stay connected with your favorite players and teams on cricmatch, where all the latest cricket action and updates are. The platform keeps you informed by providing comprehensive coverage of domestic and international matches, thereby letting you follow performances like Labuschagne’s incredible comeback. With cricmatch, cricket fans are always in the loop about the important happenings in the cricket world.​

Final Thoughts

Labuschagne’s comeback saga is a testament to the power of determination and the right mindset. There is no doubt that Smith feels proud of his teammate and the support between these two Australian stars is a reflection of the strong team culture. As the Ashes get closer, the cricketing world will keep watching if Labuschagne can transfer this domestic form onto the biggest stage of the cricket calendar.