Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne believes his longest break from international cricket in seven years has helped him rediscover the fundamentals of his batting, leaving him confident of returning to his best in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Labuschagne, who last represented Australia in the ODI series against Bangladesh on June 14, is set to feature in the two-Test series in Darwin and Mackay later this month. The eight-week break gave the Australian No. 3 valuable time to work extensively on his technique and rebuild his confidence. The 31-year-old has endured a lean run in Test cricket, having gone 21 consecutive matches without a century. His last Test hundred came in July 2023, when he scored 111 at Old Trafford. Speaking during Australia's match simulation in Brisbane, Labuschagne stressed the importance of making a strong start to the Bangladesh series. "It’s certainly very important to start these two Tests well," he said. Reflecting on his time away from the game, Labuschagne said the extended break allowed him to focus on the basics that had underpinned his remarkable success between 2019 and 2022, a period during which he scored 10 of his 11 Test centuries. "Working on my game and spending hours and hours on the simple things like my shots, working on my shapes and my technique as a whole is something I definitely needed," he said. "When you're on the road playing for the last seven or eight years straight, this is the longest break I've had. There have been times where I've tried to get things in order, but I just run out of time to fully commit to those small changes." Labuschagne added that the uninterrupted training period with the Australian squad had helped him regain clarity in his batting. "It's been really nice to go back and find my best form and what it looks like for me to play at my best. The preparation over the last few weeks here with Australia has been great for that. Hopefully we can see the results off the back of all the hard work," he said. Rather than becoming consumed by the pursuit of big scores, Labuschagne said his focus is now on trusting the batting process that previously brought him success. "When you've missed out a few times, you get a little greedy and start searching for runs, and you are not letting the game come to you," he explained. "It's really important for me to not get too invested in the runs. We want the runs, but we want the process. The runs will come as the journey goes on if I keep trusting my game." The right-hander admitted that a dip in confidence contributed to his inability to convert promising starts into substantial scores during last summer's Ashes series. "There were a few dismissals last summer where you're going well and you just rush the process. You want to get to that three-figure score rather than staying in the moment," he said. After reflecting on his performances over the past two months, Labuschagne believes returning to a patient, process-driven mindset is the key to reviving his Test career. "I've reflected a lot over these last two months about when I played my best cricket. It was just letting the game come to me," he said. Australia will hope Labuschagne's renewed approach translates into runs as they begin their Test campaign against Bangladesh, with the experienced batter eager to end his century drought and rediscover the form that once made him one of the world's most prolific Test batters.

Bangladesh have received a timely boost ahead of their historic Test tour of Australia with wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das returning to the squad for the upcoming two-match series later this month. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed on Saturday that Litton has recovered from the left calf injury that sidelined him since June and has been added to the Test squad. The 31-year-old is expected to travel to Darwin on Sunday to join the team ahead of the opening Test. Litton sustained the injury during Bangladesh's home ODI series against Australia in June, forcing him to miss the subsequent Test squad announcement as well as the team's tour of Zimbabwe. His return comes at a crucial time for Bangladesh, whose squad has already been weakened by injuries to fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam. In a statement, the BCB said Litton had responded well to his rehabilitation programme and would be available for selection for the first Test. "The 31-year-old batsman has been sidelined since June due to the injury, but has responded well to his rehabilitation programme and will be in consideration for selection for the opening Test," the board said. Litton's comeback strengthens Bangladesh's batting line-up, especially after his outstanding performances in his most recent Test appearance. He was named Player of the Match against Pakistan in Sylhet after scoring 126 and 69 to guide Bangladesh to a memorable 72-run victory. The upcoming series marks Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia in 23 years. Before the series begins, the visitors will play a three-day warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI in Darwin from August 6 to 8. The first Test is scheduled to begin in Darwin on August 13, while the second and final Test will be played in Mackay from August 22. Bangladesh last faced Australia in a Test series in 2017, when the hosts won the opening Test in Mirpur before Australia levelled the two-match series with victory in Chattogram. The series also carries significance in the ICC World Test Championship standings. Australia currently lead the points table, while Bangladesh occupy fifth place following their recent 2-0 home series win over Pakistan. Bangladesh, however, enter the tour after suffering defeat in a one-off Test against Zimbabwe, a match that did not count towards the World Test Championship. Bangladesh Test Squad for Australia Series Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vice-captain), Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain and Musfik Hasan.