Steve Smith Defends Labuschagne as Key Player for WTC Final Amid Selection Doubts

Steve Smith, the standout batter for the Australian cricket team, has publicly backed Marnus Labuschagne. This occurs as Labuschagne's status in the team for the forthcoming World Test Championship final is in doubt. During the just concluded World Test Championship cycle, Labuschagne averaged less than 30 runs and failed to reach a century in 28 innings. Although Australia won't play South Africa in the WTC final at Lords until June, pressure is already building on Labuschagne's position.

In the most recent Test series against Sri Lanka, he scored 4, 26*, and 20. Smith understood Labuschagne's present efforts to hold onto his job, even in light of his own successful comeback to form. Interestingly, Marnus Labuschagne, who was formerly ranked first in the men's Test batting rankings, has fallen out of form. With just one century to his credit, he has amassed just 1,355 Test runs at an average of 30.79 since the beginning of Australia's 2022–23 series against South Africa. Despite the difficulties, Smith supported Labuschagne following Australia's victory in Galle on Sunday by nine wickets.

Steve Smith's Motivating Words for Labuschagne:

Steve said, "I think Marn is similar to me in a way, I think he’s actually batting quite nicely. I have said this a lot of times about myself, there’s a difference between being out of form and out of runs. We’ve seen Marnus do it, we know he can do it, I don’t think he’s out of form, personally. I have watched him train, I have watched him play, and a lot of the things he’s done are there. A little bit of luck here and there and things can turn around pretty quickly, we know what he’s capable of. He knows he’d love to score more runs, we’d love him to score more runs, in my opinion, it’s just around the corner."

Smith talked about his performance and form, stating that he believed he was batting well even when he wasn't scoring as much as he had hoped. He emphasized the importance of luck in making things better soon. Smith also emphasized how crucial it is to build confidence after achieving a high score because this will help you better comprehend the bowlers you are up against. Smith has scored four hundred in his last eight innings, marking a spectacular comeback to Test cricket. In Brisbane, he scored 101, in Melbourne, 104, and in Galle, 141 and 131. His heroics against Sri Lanka on Sunday emphasized his comeback to the top and won him Player of the Series.

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