Still got it: Labuschagne buoyed by form ahead of Ashes

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Cricket - Ashes - Fifth Test - England v Australia - The Oval, London, Britain - July 27, 2023 Australias Marnus Labuschagne in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

REUTERS

MELBOURNE - Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne said a return to basics has fuelled his red-hot form in the buildup to the Ashes after losing confidence during a failed pursuit of perfection.

Labuschagne was dropped for Australias tour of West Indies but has shrugged off the setback with four centuries in five matches for his home state Queensland.

The 31-year-old said he had been battling some mental demons over the last couple of years, admitting he was tinkering with his technique too much.

Theres a few technical things that Ive ironed out of my game and had a bit of time to work on, he told Australian broadcaster Fox Sports.

(I was) getting too deep into my technique and trying to be too perfect instead of just playing with what Ive got - just going out there, reading the game and then using my technique to adjust to whatever theyre bowling and how theyre trying to attack me.

It doesnt matter how good you are or how many runs youve scored, when you dont score runs for a while, those doubts creep in.

Labuschagne was omitted from Australias initial squad for the one-day international series against India but earned a recall following an injury setback to all-rounder Cameron Green.

Local cricket pundits have debated where the South Africa-born Queenslander should bat