Marnus Labuschagne’s future in Australia’s Test team is facing serious scrutiny. After another failure in the Darwin Test against Bangladesh, the pressure on the 32-year-old No. 3 is growing.
Labuschagne scored one and 31 in the two innings, continuing a prolonged slump that has transformed his Test career from one of extraordinary promise into a fight for survival.
From his debut in October 2018 until the end of 2022, Labuschagne scored 3,071 runs in 32 Tests at an average of 59.05, including 10 centuries and 13 fifties. His breakthrough came at Lord’s in 2019, when he became the first concussion substitute in Test history after replacing an injured Steven Smith.
He did not look back. In 2021 and 2022, Labuschagne was ranked the No. 1 Test batter in the world, overtaking England’s Joe Root on both occasions.
Since the start of 2023, however, the numbers have fallen dramatically. In 32 Tests, he has scored 1,655 runs in 61 innings at an average of 30.09, with just one century.
The pressure is showing
Former Australia batter Mark Waugh, speaking to Fox Cricket after Labuschagne’s first-innings dismissal in Darwin, suggested the pressure was beginning to tell.
“(Labuschagne) feeling the pressure, it’s as simple as that. He hasn’t made a lot of runs in the last couple of years, so he’s no doubt feeling the pressure.”
Labuschagne edged a length delivery outside off after poking with minimal footwork.
“He played a nothing shot,” said Waugh. “Neither defending nor attacking. He got caught in between. Often the art of batting at this level is to have a clear mind. When you’re clouded by technique, it’s not ideal.”
Pace has become a major problem
More worrying for Australia is Labuschagne’s struggle against pace, particularly at home.
Between 2018 and 2022, he scored 2,318 runs in 21 home Tests at 70.24, including nine centuries. His average against pace was 58.16 overall and 62 in Australia.
Since 2023, those figures have collapsed. In 17 home Tests, he has scored only 828 runs at 28.55. Against pace, his average has fallen to 20.85 overall and 20.56 in Australia.
His last Test century came in July 2023, when he scored 111 against England in Manchester. His last home century was a 163 against the West Indies in Adelaide in December 2022.
His Sheffield Shield form has also been inconsistent, although domestic cricket has helped him retain the selectors’ faith. In 2025/26, he scored 525 runs at 37.50 for Queensland, including two centuries.
Whenever his Test place has been questioned, Labuschagne has returned to domestic cricket, produced runs and forced his way back into contention. That suggests the problem may not be entirely technical. There could also be a mental aspect.
Warner sees signs of the old Labuschagne
David Warner, as quoted by Fox Sports, speaking after Labuschagne’s second-innings 31 in Darwin, saw encouraging signs despite the failure.
“He had been battling so hard. He has worked his backside off. It was the best he has looked in 18 months. When things aren’t going your way, little unlucky things like that can happen.”
Warner also highlighted Labuschagne’s hesitancy.
“Right now he’s just hesitant in his decision-making and he’s been putting a lot of time and energy on surviving rather than (batting on) instinct. But today we saw the Marnus of old.”
He added: “I just saw that with his technique, everything was flowing. He looked like he was moving really, really well. His movement at the crease looked very simple. His head was over the top of the ball … and it was unlucky for him to get out.”
But Warner also acknowledged the obvious question: “How many chances does one get?”
Australia coach Andrew McDonald echoed those sentiments ahead of the second Test in Mackay, as quoted by ICC.
“I think it was 31 he got in the second innings, and up until the point he got out, you’d sit there and say he was looking good. He was moving well, he’s clipping off his pads, he was getting back through the ball down the ground.”
Yet McDonald admitted: “Ultimately it’s 31. It’s not a big score. He’s lacked runs. He feels that. We feel that.”
That is the challenge facing Labuschagne. Australia may have seen glimpses of the old No. 3, but at this stage of his career, glimpses are not enough.
The numbers have told the same story for more than three years. With competition increasing and players such as Josh Inglis and Nathan McSweeney waiting for an opportunity, the margin for error is shrinking.
Labuschagne has been retained for the second Test. Another opportunity is in front of him. This time, he needs more than glimpses. He needs runs.
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