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Marnus Labuschagne overtakes David Warner to continue insane rise

Marnus Labuschagne's meteoric rise has continued with the Australian going from outside the world's top 100 to one of the best five Test batsmen in just a year.

Labuschagne rose three spots to No.5 in the world on the ICC player rankings this week, off the back of three Test centuries in a row.

Incredibly, the right-hander began the year outside of the top 100 and was No.98 when he replaced Steve Smith as a concussion substitute in the second Test of the Ashes at Lord's.

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Since then, he has scored 893 runs at 81.18 and is now ranked only behind Virat Kohli, Smith, Kane Williamson and Cheteshwar Pujara.

"It was something I wanted to do and probably more of a dream," Labuschagne said about his rapid rise last week.

"But for it to become reality is quite a different look.

"You never want to take any runs for Australia for granted. When you get in it's make sure you get a big score because cricket can be tough."

Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner, pictured here in action for Australia against Pakistan.
Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner both starred for Australia against Pakistan. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Marnus goes past Warner

Labuschagne's rise also saw him overtake David Warner as Australia's second best batsmen, with the opener at No.7.

He is also the only batsmen in the world to have passed 1000 runs for the calendar year.

Mitchell Starc, meanwhile, has returned to the top-five Test bowlers for the first time since March, jumping up nine places from No.14.

He is now ranked only below Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, Neil Wagner and Jason Holder.

Josh Hazlewood is No.7 while Nathan Lyon's ascension to No.19 means all four of Australia's frontline bowlers are in the top 20.