Marnus Labuschagne ahead of Ashes: 'Wherever there's a spot for me I'll take it'

Marnus Labuschagne ahead of Ashes: 'Wherever there's a spot for me I'll take it'

Marnus Labuschagne says he will bat anywhere in Australia's batting order in the Ashes and is confident his game plans is much clearer than in recent seasons.

Labuschagne is the favourite to be selected to open the batting at the start of series against England, a spot above his usual number three position.

The 31-year-old was from Australia's Test line-up for the tour to West Indies earlier this year, but has had a good start to the domestic matches to put himself in the frame for selection.

When asked about opening the batting in the Ashes, Labuschagne said: "I'd say 'great'. It honestly doesn't concern me, I just want to be playing cricket at my best.

"This year I've been in in the first few overs a few times. You're used to it batting No. 3, and I've batted there probably 95 per cent of my career in both formats.

"So I'm very used to being in early. If I have to open, great. If I bat three, great. Wherever there's a spot for me I'll take it and we'll go from there."

He added that small changes to his grip and stance has elevated his game that has seen him his four centuries at the start of the Australian summer for Queensland.

"Mentally I'm a lot clearer on my game and not getting too much deep thought into certain dismissals or methods," Labuschagne said.

"It's not the actual training in the nets, I absolutely love that, I can do that all day.

"But at times I feel like my technique gets in a space where I go home and I'm like 'maybe I want to do this or maybe I want to go and try that'.

"Now I'm trying to stay out of my own way really and go out there and trust my skills when I get to the middle."

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