Far removed from the Galle pitch on which Australia was battling Sri Lanka, Kurtis Patterson was issuing a reminder that he was far from a spent force on the international stage.
So resurgent has the form of the two-Test wonder been, it ensures Queenslander Marnus Labuschagne’s Ashes ambitions ahead of next summer will be an ongoing fight.
Labuschagne’s stranglehold on Australia’s No.3 spot is no longer a fait accompli, as his lean two years continued in Sri Lanka.
Marnus Labuschagne leaves the ground after losing his wicket on day two of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia in Galle on Friday.Credit: AP
As Labuschagne was dismissed for 20 in the first Test, while Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith and Josh Inglis shone in the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy, Patterson was peeling off a clinical 137 against England A.
The New South Welshman’s return to the Sheffield Shield also ended limply at the Gabba – dismissed for one and 18 to be upstaged by Queensland counterpart Jack Clayton (136 and 76). Yet, the first half of his campaign brought up memories of his unbeaten 102 in his second and last Test six years ago.
Returning in the 2024-25 summer after being axed by the Blues, Patterson’s comeback has been emphatic – striking 546 runs, including four half centuries and an impressive 167 not out at an average of 76.
The 31-year-old admitted his demotion caused him to reflect on what he wanted to achieve, as he labelled a Test renaissance his “North star”.
For years, Labuschagne’s place in the nation’s top order was untouchable.
However, since an incredulous period more than two years ago, when he scored four centuries in five innings, the 30-year-old has averaged 29.65 in 51 innings since notching 163 against the West Indies on December 9, 2022.
Aside from his back-to-back half centuries in the Boxing Day Test against India, and a gutsy 64 in Adelaide, Labuschagne’s struggles have yielded 15 scores of 10 or less in his past 22 knocks.
Kurtis Patterson has been the in-form batsman of the Sheffield Shield.Credit: Getty Images
While he looked in crisper touch to clinch the second Test against Sri Lanka – unbeaten on 26 – his Champions Trophy selection means he will not finish the Shield campaign with Queensland to recapture some form.
But Smith backed Labuschagne to rediscover his best touch – the forthcoming World Test Championship final against South Africa and the West Indies tour looming as his final chances to prove he warranted Ashes retention.
“There’s a difference between being out of form and out of runs. We’ve seen Marnus do it, we know he can do it, and I don’t think he’s out of form, personally,” Smith said.
“I’ve watched him train, I’ve watched him play, and a lot of the things he’s done so well are there. A little bit of luck here and there and things can turn around pretty quickly.
“We know what he’s capable of, he knows he’d love to score more runs – we’d love him to score more runs – but in my opinion, it’s just around the corner.”
While Patterson has rejoined the conversation should Labuschagne fail to rediscover his mojo, Australia suddenly has a wealth of options.
Nathan McSweeney earned his Baggy Green as an opener after batting at No.3 and No.4 for South Australia, while Inglis’ debut century could entice selectors to move Smith to No.3, where he averages 67.1 with five tons.
Cameron Green is also firming up for a comeback from back surgery in time to take on South Africa, having scored a century against New Zealand batting at No.4 in his penultimate Test.
Opener Sam Konstas is likely to force his way back once Travis Head returns to the middle order, while 14-Test opener Matt Renshaw peeled off his second century of the summer (125 not out) for Queensland on Monday.
It would take a brave call to omit Labuschagne from the WTC final at Lords, with his gutsy 2023 Ashes century in England etched in the selectors’ memories.
But 26 months for one century marks a long drought. If that continues in July, the West Indies would be the sole opportunity to blood a new top order before the old enemy arrives.
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