Locked in? Marnus’ ABSURD run continues; cult hero fires warning shot to selectors — Shield Wrap

Under-fire Australian star Marnus Labuschagne has continued his scintillating start to the domestic season, smashing a huge hundred as he and his long-term teammate find more form ahead of this summer’s Ashes.

In Victoria, Scott Boland’s understudy has taken another five-wicket haul to seriously push his case as next-in-line for the first Test against England in Perth next month.

And down at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, an uncapped Ashes smokey has done his chances of an international call-up no harm in a low-scoring affair.

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HUGE ASHES QUESTION ANSWERED WITH MONSTER KNOCK

Australian top-order mainstay Marnus Labuschagne has continued his incredible start to the Australian domestic season, notching up yet another hundred on Day 2 of Queensland’s Sheffield Shield match with South Australia.

The 31-year-old has now banked four centuries in his first five outings this spring, including two 50-over tons that has certainly cemented his spot for the First Ashes Test in Perth next month.

Labuschagne was positive from the outset against the reigning Shield champions at Adelaide Oval, hitting seven boundaries before bringing up his half-century.

His run to three figures was as smooth as ever, bringing up the milestone with a well-timed flick off his pads to the boundary. But it didn’t stop there, with Labuschagne passing 150 after tea on Day 2 with a beautiful pull shot to the fence, well and truly giving the Bulls the upper hand.

He eventually nicked off on 159 to SACA quick Wes Agar, finishing with 18 fours and one maximum.

Batting alongside him for the start of his innings was Usman Khawaja, who looked composed for his 46 (73) before getting trapped on the crease and edging through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

With three top order spots up for grabs currently in Australia’s line-up, it would now also be a big surprise if Khawaja didn’t front up against England on November 21 at Optus Stadium.

The 38-year-old hit 69 against Tasmania in his first hit-out for the domestic summer, however questions over his output against the Poms loom more around his ability to face the express pace of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood at over 150km/h.

Queensland were 4/301 when rain intervened not long after Labuschagne’s dismissal, with Lachie Hearne (60*) joined at the crease by Jimmy Peirson.

South Australia were bowled out for 228 on Day 1, with Ashes hopeful Michael Neser and leg-spinner Mitch Swepson taking fours wickets apiece.

ASHES DARK HORSE FIRES WITH ANOTHER FIVE-FA

Uncapped Australian seamer Fergus O’Neill has fired yet another reminder the way of Australian selectors, claiming his eighth five-wicket haul at domestic level.

The 24-year-old ran through New South Wales’ batting line up in the first session of Day 2 at the Junction Oval, and now has him seriously poised to be Australia’s next quick in line for an Ashes call-up with Pat Cummins’ ongoing back injury.

Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and fellow Victorian Scott Boland are all but locked in as Australia’s fast bowling cartel for the firsTest against England, however should another quick go down with injury between now and later next month, the pecking order is less clear.

Queensland’s Michael Neser did his chances of being 12th man for the Test no harm with four wickets yesterday at Adelaide Oval, while NSW’s Sean Abbott is now under an injury cloud after becoming the Sheffield Shield’s first-ever injury substitute on Wednesday.

NSW were soon bowled out for 163, with Boland claiming three wickets of his own alongside O’Neill’s 5/26 off 16 overs.

Victoria were bowled out for 240 on Day 1, spearheaded by Peter Handscomb’s 85. Ashes hopeful Marcus Harris failed to fire in both hits, registering four and 20.

In response with their second innings, Campbell Kellaway fought hard for his 47 before Victoria’s middle order underwent a collapse — finishing Day 2 at 5/93 with Mitch Perry and Sam Harper at the crease, yet to score.

CONTENDER’S RAPID STATEMENT IN LOW-SCORING AFFAIR

Down in Tasmania, seasoned opener Jake Weatherald has put another strong foot forward to throw his hat in the ring to open for Australia this summer amid a low-scoring affair.

After scoring 18 of the Tigers’ 171 in the first innings, Weatherald burst out of the blocks in the second innings to hit a blistering 94 off just 99 balls at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

The 30-year-old certainly wasn’t going to die wondering with his flashy stroke play, but managed to punish the WA quicks on both sides of the wicket for 13 fours and a six before getting caught in the deep just six runs of triple figures.

Tasmania were 5/187 late in the final session, with Western Australia only managing 172 in their opening dig to take the smallest of leads at the halfway mark of the four-day clash.

Weatherald is among several contenders eyeing off an opening spot to face England this summer, alongside the likes of Sam Konstas, Matt Renshaw and Marcus Harris.

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