Melbourne – December 3 (Online): Marnus Labuschagne was overlooked as a leadership candidate following Tim Paine’s resignation as Australia’s test captain but the batsman said he is happy to focus on scoring big runs against Ashes foes England.
Though only 18 tests into his career, Labuschagne was floated as a future captain by former players and pundits but not offered an interview by a Cricket Australia panel, which named Pat Cummins skipper and Steve Smith vice-captain last week.
If Labuschagne’s pride was wounded, the 27-year-old hid it well when asked about the snub in Brisbane on Friday.
“No, I wasn’t disappointed,” Labuschagne told reporters.
“I think there are two very good leaders and very good candidates.
“(Cummins) is going to do a fabulous job and he’s got plenty of support with Steve as his vice-captain and all the senior players of the group.
“My job right now is to concentrate on scoring runs consistently for Australia and I’m happy for that to be my role for now.
“You don’t need the title to still be a leader in the group.”
A little more than two years on from the 2019 Ashes, Labuschagne has cemented himself as Australia’s number three and one of the world’s best batsman with a stratospheric average of more than 60.
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