There is always an upside to an injury, and when Jofra Archer felled Steve Smith at Lord’s last winter, Marnus Labuschagne received a chance to kickstart his career.
He crafted four consecutive half-centuries in the Ashes. The importance of them could not be exaggerated in the context of the series. But he was overshadowed by Steve Smith’s incredible form.
Labuschagne landed in Australia as a batsman expected to build on that form. And he did so handsomely in the previous series against Pakistan.
Roughly a year ago, when the South African-born player faced India in Sydney, he went on to score a patient 38. It was the best a batsman could produce against a highly skilled bowling unit. And like several greats, his career got back on track through a county cricket stint in England.
Did anyone of us think that this chirpy yet tough personality would discover something akin to Steve Smith’s prolific run-scoring ability?
Labuschagne has already adopted his style of leave. Before the Test in Perth, the duo had batted in only five innings together and averaged 45.4. They played together for the first time for Australia in Manchester in the fourth Ashes Test this year, building a partnership of 116 runs. On that occasion, they didn’t face the pink ball and the likes of Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Craig Overton weren’t as threatening as Neil Wagner and Tim Southee.
This New Zealand team gave the much-needed contest that Australia were looking for. Even with the pitch being a belter and the conditions unforgiving for a bowler, there were no free runs on offer. And this time, he faced a different situation from Brisbane. The 26-year-old was up against Colin de Grandhomme, who wasn’t the X-factor in the team but kept things tight in torrid conditions.
As he conceded in the press conference, he was waiting for the right delivery to pounce on. He pounced on every bowler in New Zealand’s ranks.
Cover drives, caressing straight down the ground, guiding the ball in between the slips – there was no other shot left in the book.
(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Labuschagne survived more than a couple of shouts from Tim Southee, appealing for LBWs and almost holing out to gully off Wagner. On 95, he dared to step out of his crease. The elegant right-handed batsman shimmied down the track and lofted the ball over the ropes at long on to get to his third consecutive hundred.
By the end of the day, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head had steered Australia to safety, getting themselves slightly ahead. But this was as stubborn and enormous of a challenge as the Baggy Greens have faced this summer.
While Steve Smith normally holds the fort, but he has looked out of touch. He was given a life in the slips before Wagner bowled a bouncer that Smith chose to hook, only to get caught at leg gully.
During his stay of 43 off 164 deliveries, there was a role reversal. It seemed as if Marnus Labuschagne disguised himself as Steve Smith not only during their partnership but from the moment he arrived in the middle.
He didn’t pummel everything. With gum in his mouth, Labuschagne believes in grinding out an innings, without a dent in his concentration. His unbeaten 110 came against one of the hungriest bowling attacks in Perth, and he can hope to keep up his rich form to shape a better Australian team for overseas conditions.
Micko
Roar Rookie
No, I stand by what I said Paul! :stoked:
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Micko, I think you're being a tad harsh when you question their smarts. You're right though, the Kiwis have done a terrific job exposing flaws in their techniques which then calls into account their temperaments as they try to combat the Black Caps bowling. I'm guessing Paine will want to bat for another session today, so his quicks aren't out there in the hottest part of the day and that will rest largely on Wade's shoulders to get them through. It will be interesting to see how he goes about it and whether he's got what it takes to succeed.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Shouldering arms to a swing bowler coming around the wicket was the dumbest piece of cricket I've seen in a while. Wade & Head aren't particularly bright are they? We might be in big trouble if the kiwis get the top four out for not many, as I'm not convinced Wade & Head have the temperament or brains to see us through with a rescue act and get big hundreds under pressure against a good kiwi attack.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I wouldn’t say Labuschagne ground out his innings. A scoring rate above 3 per over is very decent. He hardly put a foot wrong, with just a couple of near misses against Wagner and almost getting sucked into a trap at fly slip in the last couple of overs. My only tiny gripe was going for a six to get to a hundred - shots ideally shouldn’t be dictated by personal milestones, it seemed a bit out of character for him, but I guess it got the pressure of the century out of the way.
Paul
Roar Guru
totally agree Matt. Mr Wade was made to look like a complete novice by a piece of world class swing bowling.
matth
Roar Guru
I agree on the pitch, I thought it had enough for both batsmen and bowlers today. And I love how when the lights come on the pink ball swung and the game changes, posing new challenges for the batsmen.
Paul
Roar Guru
It's a shame Labuschgne needs to be compared to anyone, IMO. This guys a good enough batsman, right now, to stand alone. Sure he has elements of Smith, but every batsman who's played Test cricket will have elements of someone else, to a spectators eye. You made the comment, the pitch was a belter. I'm not sure it was. I thought some deliveries held up. Santer got more than a few to grip and bounce for example. It'll be interesting to see how it plays today after another morning of sun.