Bullish Labuschagne shows ton of form in Ashes build-up

Marnus Labuschagne has made it five centuries in eight innings for Queensland to start the summer, after helping the Bulls to a 96-run One-Day Cup win over NSW.

Labuschagne hit 101 from 111 balls at Sydney's Cricket Central on Monday, leading Queensland to 9-287 before the Blues were all out for 191 in reply.

All but certain to return to Australia's Test team for the Ashes this month, Labuschagne will enter the series as the form batter in the country.

Axed from Australia's side midway through the year, Labuschagne is back playing with the same intent that made him the world's best batter as recently as 2023.

The 31-year-old is clipping the ball off his toes again with precision, driving well, and on Monday swept legspinner Jason Sangha for three fours.

The Queenslander also hit Sangha over long-off for a big six, on a day when the spinner was otherwise NSW's best with 3-64.

Labuschagne's near-chanceless century marked his third this season in the one-day format, where he is currently outside of Australia's first-choice XI.

The right-hander has also hit two centuries in the Sheffield Shield for the Bulls, with all of the hundreds coming batting at No.3.

But it is expected he will be asked to open in the first Test against England in Perth, in a move that will allow allrounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster to both fit in the team.

In reply, NSW were never really in the chase on Monday, but Sam Konstas did hit a measured 47 before being caught behind when he gloved a hook shot off Benji Floros.

Floros had Jack Edwards caught behind next ball in similar fashion, before finishing with 4-22 in his best outing for the Bulls.

Labuschagne also claimed two wickets with his medium pace, with Chris Green skying an attempted pull shot, before Sangha fell lbw to the right-armer.