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A return to Cricket Australia's contract list (and surge up its rankings that dictate players' salary) was the latest step in Marnus Labuschagne's rapid rise.
LABUSCHAGNE'S REMARKBLE RISE
* Has scored 1249 Test runs at 83.26 since making his Ashes debut last year as Steve Smith's concussion substitute.
* Now ranked third on the ICC's Test batting charts, behind only Smith and Virat Kohli. Was ranked 110th last year.
* Scored four Test centuries during 2019-20, including a maiden ton and double-ton. Tallied 898 runs in total, eclipsing Neil Harvey's record for most runs by any Australian in a five-Test home summer.
WHAT THEY'VE SAID ABOUT LABUSCHAGNE
* Australia Test captain TIM PAINE: He wants to make a difference all the time. His energy is great, so he's a really exciting cricketer for us and someone we can build our team around in the future.
* Australia coach JUSTIN LANGER: What he's done is mind blowing, really ... it's a great credit to his mental and physical endurance.
* Former Test captain IAN CHAPPELL: When opportunity knocks, some people politely open the door while others don't even hear the tapping. Not Marnus Labuschagne. He rips the door off its hinges, embraces opportunity and says 'do come in, I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival'.
* Invincibles tourist and cricket legend NEIL HARVEY: He's got discipline and concentration ... it looks as though he's going to be around for quite some time. He might pinch some of Smith's mantle.
* Australia's chairman of selectors TREVOR HOHNS: Everyone for a period of time was waiting for the bubble to burst to be honest, but he's gone from strength to strength ... he's been a revelation and deserves all the accolades he gets.
* India captain VIRAT KOHLI: He's got the right mindset to be a consistent player, to be a top player in the world for a while.
* India legend SACHIN TENDULKAR: His footwork was incredible, so he would be the one (modern player that reminds Tendulkar of himself).