Marnus Labuschagne will have a key role to play in the Ashes (Picture: Getty)
Australia star Marnus Labuschagne has warned England they will face ‘one of, if not the best, bowling attacks in the world’ as they aim to win back the Ashes.
Ben Stokes’ England will come up against an Aussie attack that boasts the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon this summer.
Stokes, who has overseen 10 wins from 12 matches since taking over as Test captain, wants the Ashes to be played on ‘fast and flat pitches’ – but Labuschagne believes this could play into Australia’s hands.
‘I don’t care what wickets are rolled out. My job is to score runs, whatever the conditions,’ Australia’s No. 3, who is currently playing for County Championship Division Two side Glamorgan, told the Daily Mail.
‘But if they feel that’s their best way to beat us, we’ll certainly take it on. We have one of, if not the best, bowling attacks in the world, so if you want to take us on at our own game, then I commend them if they can get on top of a high-quality attack.’
Labuschagne, who made his Test debut in the 2019 Ashes series, says he can ‘only commend’ England’s approach over the past 12 months, with ‘Bazball’ responsible for victories over New Zealand, South Africa, India and Pakistan.
‘It’s exciting, it’s entertaining, and you can only commend them on their success rate since they have gone down that path,’ the 28-year-old said.
England captain Ben Stokes has requested fast and flat pitches (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s going to be great to see two teams with different styles come up against each other.’
Since bursting onto the international scene as a concussion substitute four years ago, Labuschagne has amassed a brilliant Test record, scoring 10 centuries and 15 fifties in 37 matches.
Along with Ashes legend Steve Smith, Labuschagne will be England’s most prized wicket, though the hosts look set to be without World Cup winner Jofra Archer.
Archer, who struck both Smith and Labuschagne on the helmet in the 2019 series, was forced to return home from the IPL this week as he continues to battle with a reoccurring elbow issue.
Jofra Archer peppered Steve Smith during the 2019 Ashes (Picture: Getty)
‘To have him in your side is a massive inclusion, but England have played without Archer for four years, so they’re accustomed to him being more of a luxury than a mainstay,’ Labuschagne said of Archer’s potential absence this summer.
‘The likes of Ollie Robinson, Broad, Anderson, Mark Wood, Matthew Potts — you prepare for all those bowlers, but obviously your team’s better with Jofra Archer in it.’
While the last Ashes series in England finished all square, Australia stormed to a 4-0 victory in the previous contest in 2021-22.
This summer’s series starts on June 16 at Edgbaston. The arch-rivals then meet at Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval with the famous urn on the line.
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Labuschagne is up for the fight.