The relentlessly run-hungry Marnus Labuschagne is back to his brilliant best and an Ashes return looks set to be his reward.

Labuschagne has all but forced the Australian selectors into picking him for the first Test in Perth next month after yet another century for Queensland.

As his contenders around the country fail on difficult wickets for batters, Labuschagne looked at ease at Adelaide Oval against the reigning Sheffield Shield champions.

Labuschagne went to lunch day two against South Australia unbeaten on 55 and went on to score a fourth century in five innings, bringing it up with a boundary, in 129 balls.

He started the domestic summer as favourite to partner Usman Khawaja in the first Ashes Test – but if there was a betting market, the bookies would have all but closed it by

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