Marnus Labuschagne Finally Opens Up About The Non-Stop Criticism Towards Him

Marnus Labuschagne for Australia [Source: AFP]Marnus Labuschagne has found himself at the centre of a growing debate over his place in Australia’s Test XI, particularly with the No. 3 position under discussion. The Queensland batter remains in the squad for the upcoming South Africa series, but his recent numbers have made his selection far from automatic. With the first Test in Durban approaching, Marnus Labuschagne has now addressed the criticism surrounding his performances and made his position clear.Labuschagne hits back at critics with sharp No. 3 replyMarnus Labuschagne has refused to back away from his claim to Australia’s No. 3 position despite mounting questions over his recent form. The 32-year-old, who will captain Queensland in the upcoming One-Day Cup before joining Australia’s Test squad, acknowledged that criticism is part of being a professional cricketer.“I still think I am the best person to bat at No. 3 for Australia. But if someone else offers a different opinion, that’s up to them. That’s their point of view,” Labuschagne told Code Sports.The batter has also accepted that his performances have given critics reason to question him. Labuschagne has gone 43 innings without a century, while his Test average since the conclusion of the 2023 Ashes stands at 25.43. Also Read- Marnus Labuschagne vs Kurtis Patterson- Numbers vs Narrative? A Statistical ExaminationLabuschagne responds to Ponting, Warner criticismRicky Ponting has previously suggested that Australia should leave him out, while David Warner also highlighted his century drought in a recent social media interaction with the Barmy Army.However, Labuschagne insisted that the criticism is directed at his cricket rather than his character and said he remains committed to finding his best form.“Criticism, you bring [that] on yourself as a player because that’s performance-based. I’m not getting criticised because of me as a person; they are criticising my performance, which in the last two years I have let that happen. People that know me know that every single part of me is doing everything I can to get back to what my best looks like.”Massive South Africa Tests awaiting Marnus LabuschagneIn the South Africa tour, Australia will first play a two-day warm-up match in Potchefstroom, giving the batter an opportunity to build towards the red-ball assignment.Chair of selectors George Bailey has kept the selection picture open, with Steven Smith being discussed as a possible option at No. 3 and Cooper Connolly emerging as another alternative. Cameron Green has also previously been trialled in the position, meaning Labuschagne faces competition rather than an assured spot.His exclusion from Australia’s ODI squad could nevertheless work in his favour from a preparation standpoint. Bailey suggested that concentrating exclusively on red-ball cricket could allow Marnus Labuschagne to sharpen his preparation before the South Africa Tests.“I think Marn will continue to prepare and refine how he will prepare for this series. There’s potentially a simplification or an ability to focus purely on red-ball cricket for him in the fact that he won’t be in the one-day series leading up to it. So that may be a benefit. I’m not sure around that,” Bailey said.Labuschagne's decline as a No. 3 Test batter for AustraliaMeanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne’s Test numbers show just how dramatically his output has changed since his breakthrough years. In 2019, he scored 800 runs from 11 innings at an outstanding average of 72.72, including three centuries. He followed that with 403 runs at 67.16 in 2020 and 474 runs at 79.00 in 2021, establishing himself as one of Australia's most productive top-order batters.His numbers remained strong in 2022, when he accumulated 957 runs at 56.29, with four centuries and a highest score of 204. However, the decline became much more visible from 2023. He managed 803 runs at 34.91 that year, before dropping further to 461 runs at 32.92 in 2024.The slide has continued across the last two seasons. Marnus Labuschagne scored only 215 runs at 23.88 in 2025, while his 2026 figures currently stand at 121 runs from five innings at 24.20, with a highest score of 48. From averaging above 70 in 2019 and 79 in 2021 to remaining below 25 in each of the last two years. With South Africa next on the calendar, Labuschagne now has another opportunity to turn that trend around.Also Read- Watch- Rashid Khan Pulls Off Jaw-Dropping Catch In IND vs AFG 3rd T20I