Melbourne, Oct. 21 -- Australia's premier Test batter Steve Smith expressed pride in his batting partner Marnus Labuschagne's exploits in domestic cricket, terming his numbers for Queensland as a "big statement" and lauding him for "backing his words" with the right performances.

After a lengthy century drought in Tests since 2023, Labuschagne was on the bench during the tour to the West Indies this year in June-July.

Labuschagne, who was initially dropped from the ODI series against India, was added back to the squad after an injury to all-rounder Cameron Green, despite not delivering an ODI fifty in his last 10 innings.

This came after some tremendous performances in domestic cricket and a shift in his strike rate, managing four cent...