Drummer Marnus Labuschagne believe Australia will benefit from increased stability in their Ashes squad as they prepare to face England in the first Test of the series later this month.
The Australians take on India in the World Test Championship Final at the London Oval on Wednesday before starting the last five Test Ashes series against the English Edgbaston June 12.
The series comes four years after the former rivals shared a 2-2 draw on English soil, when the Australian side were in a state of flux following the return of former captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft on the team.
The trio had been banned due to their involvement in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018 and, with those distractions behind them, Labuschagne is confident Australia will be better prepared.
“In 2019 we weren’t as determined in the team and there were probably a lot more questions about people coming back,” Labuschagne said.
“It was Steve, Dave and Cameron’s first entry into Test cricket, there wasn’t much stability, even with our bowlers.
“We’ve played three or four different bowling attacks in three games, so there’s a lot more clarity around our team, which I think creates that consistency… It creates preparation instead of people playing for goals. places and think they are vying for a position.
“Everyone knows where he’s sitting, so we can prepare and prepare.”
Labuschagne’s Test career came to life during the 2019 series when he was featured in the second Test at Lord’s as a replacement for Smith with a concussion, scoring 59 points in a draw.
He helped the Aussies retain the Ashes before playing a starring role in the 4-0 win over the English in Australia in 2021/22.
“In 2019, I felt like I almost had to prove to people that I was good enough,” he said.
The Australians take on India in the World Test Championship Final at the London Oval on Wednesday before starting the last five Test Ashes series against the English Edgbaston June 12.
The series comes four years after the former rivals shared a 2-2 draw on English soil, when the Australian side were in a state of flux following the return of former captain Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft on the team.
The trio had been banned due to their involvement in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018 and, with those distractions behind them, Labuschagne is confident Australia will be better prepared.
“In 2019 we weren’t as determined in the team and there were probably a lot more questions about people coming back,” Labuschagne said.
“It was Steve, Dave and Cameron’s first entry into Test cricket, there wasn’t much stability, even with our bowlers.
“We’ve played three or four different bowling attacks in three games, so there’s a lot more clarity around our team, which I think creates that consistency… It creates preparation instead of people playing for goals. places and think they are vying for a position.
“Everyone knows where he’s sitting, so we can prepare and prepare.”
Labuschagne’s Test career came to life during the 2019 series when he was featured in the second Test at Lord’s as a replacement for Smith with a concussion, scoring 59 points in a draw.
He helped the Aussies retain the Ashes before playing a starring role in the 4-0 win over the English in Australia in 2021/22.
“In 2019, I felt like I almost had to prove to people that I was good enough,” he said.
“For me now it’s just about making sure I play my part in the team and find ways to score points no matter the conditions.
“Mentally, I’m hungrier than ever and I want us to win this series… I really feel like we let it slip one last time we were here, and hopefully we can fix that.”
