Marnus Labuschagne’s tenure as Queensland’s Sheffield Shield captain is off to a fascinating start, with the Australian Test star’s on-field antics turning heads during this week’s season opener against Western Australia in Perth.

The 30-year-old took over the leadership role from national teammate Usman Khawaja during the off-season as he looks to enhance his Test captaincy credentials. Travis Head remains the leading candidate to replace Pat Cummins as Test captain when the time comes, but Labuschagne also looms as an option.

And during his first match as Queensland’s Sheffield Shield skipper, he offered a glimpse at his looks on the field.

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During the 203-run partnership between West Australian captain Sam Whiteman and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, Labuschagne brought himself into the attack for a brief spell — but not as a leg-spinner.

Despite taking a three-wicket haul with his wrist spin during Australia’s white-ball tour of the United Kingdom last month, he produced a three-over burst of medium-paced bumpers. The ploy almost worked, with one of Inglis’ glances off the hip landing agonisingly close to the square-leg fielder.

Labuschagne also innovated with his field placement, at one point directing teammate Tom Straker to stand directly behind the umpire at the non-striker’s end, tugging at the youngster’s pants to ensure he was positioned exactly where he wanted. The moment was reminiscent of when Australian captain Michael Clarke placed Mitchell Johnson behind the bowler during a 2014 Test match against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that,” former Australian wicketkeeper Christina Matthews laughed in commentary.

Labuschagne returned to the attack on day two, snaring two breakthroughs to help clean up the West Australian tail. After Cameron Gannon edged a bouncer through to wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson, which ended a 121-run partnership for the eighth wicket, Michael Neser held onto a juggling catch on the boundary rope to dismiss Brody Couch.

The Queensland skipper finished with 2-5 from 6.2 overs, further pressing his case for all-rounder status — he claimed maiden a five-wicket haul during a T20 Blast match for Glamorgan in July.

Later on Wednesday, Labuschagne notched a half-century before West Australian spinner Corey Rocchiccioli trapped him on the pads for 77, with the right-hander missing a sweep shot.

Before the umpire awarded the dismissal, Labuschagne indicated the delivery was sliding down the leg side, an apparent attempt to sway the umpire’s decision.

The Test No. 3 has come under scrutiny over the years for his tendency to linger at the crease after being given out, while last month he was charged with dissent after venting his frustration at an umpire’s decision while captaining his Redlands club side.

Although his passion for the game is admirable, Labuschagne will need to learn to control his emotions if he’s serious about becoming Australia’s next Test captain.

Queensland was 3-185 at stumps, still trailing by 280 runs, with Jack Clayton (52*) and Ben McDermott (11*) unbeaten overnight.