3 months ago
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The signs are promising that Marnus Labuschagne has announced himself as a mainstay of the Australian top order once again, as he cemented his reputation as the world’s most formidable batsman against the pink ball.
But the Queenslander’s hunt for an elusive century remains, in what will be the greatest indicator of whether the Labuschagne of old is truly back.
The No.3’s mid-year axing from the side has coincided with a new mentality, one free of the distrust in his instincts that plagued him for two years.
Marnus Labuschagne, who made 65, has gone more than two years without a Test century.Credit: Getty Images
Once the world’s No.1 batsman, the 31-year-old has gone more than 28 months without a Test century, averaging 30.91 from the start of 2023 until the Ashes’ opening clash in Perth.
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But after surging back into reckoning following his demotion in the West Indies, striking five centuries across Sheffield Shield and domestic one-day cricket to regain his place, Labuschagne has shown some life.
His elegant 65 from just 78 balls on day two of the second Test at the Gabba was one of the more fluent knocks he has produced in the Baggy Green recently, driving down the ground beautifully while being unafraid to pull anything short.
It upheld his reputation as the game’s best in day-night Tests – scoring 1023 runs at an average of 63.93 – with his efforts leaving England bereft of plans to stop a run rate that soared above five.
Labuschagne’s match awareness within his partnerships also paid dividends, dominating his half-century stand with Steve Smith and allowing the latter to find his feet.
When he first arrived at the crease, he fed off Jake Weatherald’s assault and shared in the attack, scoring 30 from just 36 balls during their 69-run partnership.
It is that skill that was alluded to by England star Joe Root, who finished the first innings unbeaten on 138 but admitted his side “didn’t quite get it right” with the ball.
“My rhythm sometimes comes from the guys at the other end, and I don’t think they get the credit they deserve, to be honest. Sometimes the way they play allows me to play how I play, and it’s why partnerships are so important in cricket, and in batting,” Root said after Australia went to stumps at 6-378.
“At the start of my innings, the way Zak [Crawley] played made my life a huge amount easier. Without using the guy at the other end, it’s not always that simple.
“You’re always trying to use each other, trying to complement each other’s skill set.”
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In Perth, Labuschagne launched his second coming by playing like a version of himself few had seen, seemingly feeding off Travis Head’s now-famous onslaught.
He finished unbeaten at 51 from just 49 deliveries in a successful fourth-innings run chase, scoring all around the wicket, while even pulling England’s vaunted fast-bowling arsenal back over their heads.
Labuschagne appeared to be keeping true to his early summer promise of again trusting his instincts, and he looked chanceless in Brisbane before flashing a cramped cut attempt off the bowling of Ben Stokes, only to edge through to England wicket-keeper Jamie Smith.
It means a wait for that breakthrough ton continues, having now scored nine half-centuries in his past 28 innings without reaching triple figures.
That inability to convert on a strong start was shared by Labuschagne’s peers, with Travis Head (33), Steve Smith (61) and Cameron Green (45) guilty of throwing their wickets away.
Jake Weatherald says some of Australia’s shots could be considered a bit reckless.Credit: Getty Images
As England employed a short-bowling tactic, Green sought to give himself room to counterattack on the off-side, which exposed his stumps to Brydon Carse in an ugly dismissal.
Two balls later, Smith tried to guide a pull uppishly, only for Will Jacks to produce a brilliant catch.
Jake Weatherald (72) and Josh Inglis (23) were perhaps the only men to be claimed by quality deliveries, with Australia’s 44-run lead a case of what might have been had the men who were in carried on, rather than now facing what could be a tricky fourth-innings run chase.
“We’re in the position we are now – having a lead before the next new ball – because of the shots we played and the options we took. You’d probably say some of the shots were a bit reckless at times, but they backed themselves in, and as a group, that’s what we want to do,” Weatherald said in defence of how the wickets fell.
“With the short-ball plan, it’s one of those things where everyone has their own methods. Because of that, we scored in different ways and provided different problems for the England bowlers.”
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