Figure from Marnus Labuschagne’s childhood hands him an item that could change everything for out-of-form Aussie cricketer – ahead of India second test

EXCLUSIVE 

A pact with his junior cricket club could be the key that unlocks Marnus Labuschagne as the Aussie Test cricket star desperately tries to find form ahead of the second Test against India.

The star Aussie batsman has hit an a form slump at the worst possible time against the might of India, scoring just 123 runs in his last 10 innings at an average of just 13.67.

That included scores of just 2 and 3 in the first Test where the Aussies were hammered in Perth, leading to strong criticism from Aussie cricket fans.

At times in Perth Labuschagne looked uncertain and jittery.

So to find his best form and clear his mind, he returned to his junior cricket club Redlands, just south of Brisbane, for a lengthy net session on Thursday.

Club president Sean Lloyd has known Labuschagne since he was a child and told Daily Mail Australia that he had given the Test star a key to the nets so he could come and train whenever he wanted. 

‘The door is always open to Marnus,’ he said.

‘It is open to utilise the Redlands facilities, as it has been ever since becoming a Test batsman to come and use at any point in time.

‘He has a key to the nets, he could be there and we wouldn’t even know.

‘It is part of who we are, we shoulder arms around our mates.

‘Himself, other state players who play for the Bulls and the BBL franchises, all players have access to our nets.

‘Without that, they wouldn’t be who they are. We are a very forward and supportive cricket club.’

Labuschagne re-connected with old friends who were happy to provide throwdowns in the lengthy net session, with the enigmatic Aussie smiling and back to his chirpy best outside of the glare of the Australian public. 

Lloyd said it was nothing unusual for Labuschagne or the club, with the Aussie star often returning to his roots for long training sessions.

‘Him wanting to hit 1000 balls is a pleasant afternoon for him,’ he said.

‘Marnus’ training sessions can vary from a couple of hours to longer stints.

‘In order to be who he is, he puts in a lot of hard work, so it wouldn’t have been a short session.’

Labuschagne has perhaps unfairly worn the brunt of criticism from fans following the first Test thumping, with some even calling for him to be dumped back to Sheffield Shield to try and find runs. 

But Lloyd said the time away from the national team and the glare of the public would help unlock the superstar batsman and backed him to bounce back to his best form in the second Test in Adelaide.

‘Since he was a kid he has always been a champion,’ he said.

‘He has found ways to overcome adversity and he always rises to the top.

‘He will be part of the Australian cricket fraternity for a long time to come, it was just a little hiccup in one game.

‘It puts all the noise out of your mind, the last thing he needs now is people asking him a lot of questions,’ he said.

‘He needs to find it within himself, answer his own questions and get back on top.’

Labuschagne himself briefly spoke with media after the session and said that returning home was part of his usual preparation whenever he could find the time. 

‘It is always tough when you lose a game for Australia and you are not scoring runs,’ he said.

‘That is your job as a batter. You have to score runs. I have to score runs. If I am not doing that we are not winning Tests. That is never good, is it?

‘It is no different to my normal preparation – I am always trying to find that right rhythm.’