ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Australia coach Andrew McDonald reveals Marnus Labuschagne's batting position

Australia coach Andrew McDonald opened up on Marnus Labuschagne's batting position.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald talked about where Marnus Labuschagne will bat in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Australia will open their CWC campaign against India on October 8, with the match to be played in Chennai’s MA Chidambaram stadium.

During Australia's ODI series against South Africa, Marnus Labuschagne was a last-minute replacement who filled in for Cameron Green in the first ODI as a concussion replacement.

Labuschagne, who was not selected for World Cup preliminary squad by Australia, will now find his name among the first entries in the Australia XI during the competition in India due to his performances since then.

Labuschagne scored 80 not out and 124 in the two wins Australia managed in South Africa and then found form in India in Rajkot ODI, which his side won after losing the first two matches.

Head coach Andrew McDonald said he is "pretty much a lock-in" among the Australian top-four for World Cup.

"It's been a really good return after being dropped and not included in that South African squad. We were pretty clear on the way that we felt Marn needed to play to fit into the team. He went away and worked on that," said McDonald. "I think he may have elaborated on that several days ago when he's gone away. He's had a think about it; he's come back, and he's come back as a different player. There's no doubt about that,” McDonald was quoted by Cricbuzz.

“He's gone away and worked on his game”- Andrew McDonald on Marnus Labuschagne fighting his way into the Australian team

McDonald went on to explain why Labuschagne had been overlooked before and praised his outstanding work ethic for helping him battle his way back into the team.

"We saw in the practice game against Pakistan, the early intent, the scoring options you know, his innings are starting with great intent. And we love seeing that, and we always knew he was capable of that, but over an extended period of time, prior to his dropping, he wasn't doing that.

He was getting that information. And as I said, full credit goes to him. He's gone away and worked on his game, and it's a great story. If you're looking for whether he's a certain starter, if he's not on your team, I don't know who else you're going to put in there. So I think he's pretty much a lock-in in that top four, and how we structure up is the final question that we need to answer,” he added.

Marnus Labuschagne might even bowl a few overs given that Australia has only one proper spinner in their squad, Adam Zampa, with Glenn Maxwell for company.