Veteran Australian batter Steve Smith, who is likely to lead the national cricket team in place of Pat Cummins for the first Ashes Test in Perth, has expressed full confidence in Marnus Labuschagne. Smith also revealed that Labuschagne had sent him a message regarding his selection for the 2025-26 Ashes series.
After being left out of the Test team for the first time in six years, Labuschagne had assumed the role of drinks carrier during the Test series against the West Indies, with Cameron Green occupying his usual No.3 position. Labuschagne sent a message to Smith, who was on holiday in New York after Australia.
Marnus Labuschagne told me at the start of the summer – Steve Smith
Before the start of the Australian summer, Marnus Labuschagne texted Steve Smith to inform him that he would be returning to the Test side for the first match. Labuschagne has been in remarkable form, scoring four centuries in five matches for the Bulls across all formats.
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He has been recalled to Australia’s ODI squad and could be in contention for a place in the starting XI for the Ashes opener in Perth next month. Smith said he was proud of Labuschagne’s achievements.
“He said to me at the start of the summer: ‘I’ll be in this Test team, the first Test will come.’ He backed up his words,” Smith said.
“I sent him a message a few days ago, telling him how proud I was of him. He was obviously cut from the team and he just came back and he scored four hundreds in (six) hits.
“That’s a pretty big statement. He’s obviously not selected yet, but he’s done a lot of things well,” he added.
I definitely get mentally exhausted faster than… – Steve Smith
Steve Smith said he feels mentally refreshed and ready for the Ashes after not playing since late August. Smith added that he was preparing to lead Australia while effectively managing his own mental and physical workload.
“I definitely burn out mentally quicker than before. Ten years ago I loved coming back and playing every match I could. Now obviously my Test cricket has taken a big priority,” Smith said.
“I know when I play a lot at the beginning, at the end of the summer, I’m quite cooked mentally and I probably can’t produce the same performances. Last year, I was probably doing my best at the end of the summer against India, without having played too much cricket at the start,” he added.
It takes me two shots to sort it out – Steve Smith
The star hitter said he was focusing on mental freshness rather than heavy sessions at the net. Smith said he only needed a few hits to feel ready for the match conditions, allowing him to fully concentrate on the match. He also added that his mindset improves his performance on the field.
“Honestly, I need two hits to be settled. I feel like I’m ready to go now. There’s obviously a balance, but I don’t think it takes me a lot of time now to get up to the speed of the game and I want to try to stay as fresh mentally.”
“Technically I feel good, it’s about being mentally fresh. I’m not hitting as many balls as I used to. It’s about trying to get the best out of myself mentally when I’m in the middle and being able to concentrate for long periods.”
“It’s interesting how the brain works. I feel like I’m taking it to another level and trying to set a standard, I guess,” he added.
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