‘If he gets in, he's gonna make some really big scores’ – Marnus Labuschagne backs Steve Smith to perform well in remaining Ashes Tests

Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne reckoned that Steve Smith would go on to get big scores in the remaining three Tests of the ongoing Ashes. The 32-year-old Smith has managed to score 111 runs from the two Tests thus far at an average of 37 with a top score of 93 in the first innings of the Day Night Adelaide Test.

Smith didn’t play Test cricket for around a year before starting his Ashes sojourn, but he found his mojo in the pink-ball Test. The right-hander earned accolades from Labuschagne for showing a lot of character in tough batting conditions during the second Test.

Marnus Labuschagne lauds Smith

“He hasn’t played Test cricket for a year and it’s taken two innings, he batted beautifully in that innings in some very tricky conditions, it was nipping around, so I think it’s very exciting to see. I think it’s very exciting for the rest of the series because I think if he gets in, he’s gonna make some really big scores in the next three Tests,” Labuschagne was quoted as saying on Sporting News.

The Adelaide Test that Australia won by 275 runs was also a memorable one for Labuschagne. The youngster notched his maiden Ashes Test century and also got the Player of the Match award. He backed up the ton with a gutsy half-century in the second innings.

However, the right-handed batter was a tad disappointed having not being able to garner a big score after reaching the three-figure mark.

“We played well in this Test match and didn’t take our foot off the paddle. Getting my first Ashes ton was terrific and I was disappointed that I didn’t make it a big one, in spite of being given a few chances,” he added.

Labuschagne started making his impact in Test cricket after he was roped in as Smith’s concussion substitute during the 2019 Lord’s Ashes Test. In 20 Tests, the 27-year-old has scored 2113 runs at an average of 62.15 with six centuries and 12 half-centuries.

The third Test of the ongoing Ashes is set to start on Sunday, December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.