‘Better than ever’: Marnus’ warning for Archer, and why he thinks an Englishman is the world’s best batter

“It’s been 18 months since I’ve been near my best, so it’d be nice to return to international cricket and play my best cricket. I genuinely feel like I’m batting better than I ever have now. “The one time I feel like I was batting to a similar stature as I am now was probably 2019 Ashes. With the freedom and the way I was playing and moving and able to apply pressure in numerous areas.” Asked about what made Archer difficult to face, Labuschagne pointed to his combination of high pace from a languid approach to the crease, and the generation of steep bounce. “It’s his delivery stride, how quick he is through the crease and probably the height he produces at the crease, because he uses his full height, rather than collapsing his front leg. Those factors are key.”