Training over TV sets Marnus for Lankans

When Marnus Labuschagne bolted into Australia's team for the final Test against India in Sydney earlier this month, he had learned about India's outstanding bowling attack in the same way the rest of us had: by watching the series on television. 

Labuschagne, who was a surprising selection for the second time in three months following his shock call-up to the Test side in the UAE in October, had been riding the pine for Brisbane Heat in the KFC Big Bash, hoping his lively blend of batting, leg-spin and razor sharp fielding would earn him a start alongside the likes of Chris Lynn and Brendon McCullum. His most recent hit had been for Queensland in the JLT Sheffield Shield, more than three weeks before the start of the fourth Test. 

But it was a case of off the bench and into the big time for the right-hander, who made 38 in his return to the Test side batting at No.3, impressing Ricky Ponting enough for the former Test skipper to lock him in as an Ashes tourist later this year. 

Before England however, there is Sri Lanka, and likely for Labuschagne, a maiden Test on his home patch of the Gabba.

"You always dream of playing a home Test in front of your family and all your friends," he told media at the Brisbane venue today ahead of Thursday's first Test under lights. "It'd be a dream come true if I do get the nod come Thursday, but there's some good competition around, and that's always good to have in a team – when it is competitive for spots – because it means you have to keep performing to stay in the team."

This time around, Labuschagne has been afforded a more traditional preparation, highlighted by an unofficial pink-ball warm-up match against the tourists last week, in which he made six and 50, and took a couple of wickets. 

"In the preparation phase (being there from the outset) does (help), because you're obviously working with everyone and preparing for the team continuously, rather than coming in (late)," the South African born Queenslander said. 

"When I came in (against India), I came in from just watching the Test on TV and gaining the information that way. 

"Whereas being in the squad (from the outset) and actually being able to prepare and get myself ready for the Test series has definitely helped."

Labuschagne could be one of as many as four Queenslanders in Australia's top six though given the fluid nature of the home side's batting order at present, he could also be one of two, alongside top-order mainstay and Bulls captain Usman Khawaja. 

The 24-year-old added that amid a time of uncertainty, some reassurance had been taken in the glut of batsmen within the group possessing local knowledge. 

"We've got a lot of Queenslanders who have played a lot of games at the Gabba," he said. "A lot of the guys have been using the old Joe (Burns), and Matt (Renshaw), even though Matt's not that experienced but he's played a lot of games at the Gabba … and 'Uzzie' (Khawaja) bats at three for Queensland and has played many games here.

"The wickets tend to be slightly different for Test games compared to first-class games. There's probably a little bit more grass on in first-class games and with the morning starts there's probably a bit more moisture. 

"I'd say there won't be as much moisture as there would be with a 10am start, and maybe slightly less grass on it. 

"But it's always such a good wicket because there's always such nice carry, and obviously it provides opportunity with the ball and the bat."

Domain Test Series v Sri Lanka

Australia: Tim Paine (c/wk), Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Will Pucovski, Matt Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (c), Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha

Jan 24-28: First Test, Gabba (D/N)

Feb 1-5: Second Test, Canberra