Australian Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne has attributed his recent slump in form to mental fatigue and an overly aggressive approach at the crease. The 32-year-old, preparing for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay, says a prolonged break from cricket has helped him reset and refocus.

Labuschagne last scored a Test century three years ago, during a match against England in Manchester, and has endured a challenging period since. Following a steady start to his international career, during which he averaged over 60 across three consecutive years, his batting average has dropped to 44 after 42 Tests. He acknowledges that an extended run on the road, combined with growing technical issues and mounting pressure, have contributed to his struggles.

“It’s a compilation of everything,” Labuschagne explained. “Being on the road for so long, trying to find your feet, a lack of confidence. When you’ve missed out a few times, you get a little greedy and start searching for runs instead of letting the game come to you.”

He noted that over a period of four to five years, small technical flaws had accumulated, leading him to seek short-term fixes rather than addressing the underlying problems. The off-season break, his longest in seven years, allowed him to focus on deeper adjustments to his game, supported by thorough preparation with the Australian team.

Labuschagne emphasized the need to return to a more natural style of play, centering on his strengths such as dominating leg-side shots, particularly the pull, and driving effectively on the off side. “It’s about scoring runs in my areas of strength and dominating those areas like I did in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022,” he said. “Those are the key things for me when I’m playing well, scoring runs and looking to put pressure on the opposition.”

He also endorsed the potential appointment of former Australian Test batsman Mike Hussey as England’s new batting coach, a move reportedly supported by New Zealand mentor Stephen Fleming. Labuschagne described Hussey as “a fantastic coach” and former player, indicating that such an appointment would be a positive development for the England side.

As Labuschagne prepares to return to the international arena, he remains optimistic that the time away from the game and renewed focus on his technique will translate into improved performances in the forthcoming matches against Bangladesh.