The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Labuschagne best since Bradman after ton

Autoplay in... 6 (Cancel)
Up Next No more videos! Playlist is empty -
Replay
Cancel
Next
17th December, 2021
50
1223 Reads

Marnus Labuschagne can now officially lay claim to the title of the best batsman since Sir Donald Bradman.

On a day when the 27-year-old completed his first Ashes ton and the sixth of his career, he also moved to second in the all-time Test averages.

Symbolic of his meteoric rise, Labuschagne’s average after his 20th Test now sits at 62.48, after overtaking both Adam Voges and Steve Smith.

The only man above him is Bradman, whose output of 99.94 will almost certainly never be beaten.

Sports opinion delivered daily 

   

“That’s the first I’ve heard of being second behind Bradman … It’s a special feeling,” Labuschagne said after his landmark Friday.

“But Bradman’s done and a couple of nick offs and I’m right to the back of the pecking order.

Advertisement

“You can’t really think like that (about records) … The personal performances and accolades are nice.

“But I just think about trying to score as many runs as possible each innings to put us in positions to win games.”

Marnus Labuschagne

(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The achievement was one of several Labuschagne milestones at Adelaide Oval.

He is now the fifth fastest man in history to 2000 Test runs, with his 34 innings only bettered by Bradman, George Headley, Herbert Sutcliffe and Mike Hussey.

The Queenslander’s rise is even more remarkable, considering that his selection raised eyebrows when he debuted in the UAE in 2018 with Smith and David Warner banned.

When he was recalled at No.3 for the Sydney Test against India in January 2019, he was statistically Australia’s worst No.3 this century.

Advertisement

At the time, he averaged just 33.17 in first-class cricket.

Selectors picked on gut feeling, and in the three years that have followed their instincts have been correct.

Consistency has been his biggest feature, with more scores beyond 50 after 20 Tests than any other player in history.

There is also a clear love affair with the pink ball.

Labuschagne’s century in Adelaide marked his third in a row in the city, becoming the first player in history to record three day-night Test centuries.

The right-hander in fact believes that the pink ball is hardest to face, but the bounce of Adelaide Oval has him confident leaving on length just like on his home wicket at the Gabba.

Advertisement

It was the feature of his innings in the second Test, leaving regularly on height alone as England bowled too short, dropped him three times and dismissed him on a no-ball.

“At the Gabba I know I can leave the ball on length, so that’s probably something that correlates,” Labuschagne said.

“It’s always a part of my game that I’ve had, being able to leave the ball well and that decision making around off stump.”

Highest Test batting averages
Donald Bradman (AUS): 99.94
Marnus Labuschagne (AUS): 62.48
Adam Voges (AUS): 61.87
Steve Smith (AUS): 61.65
Graham Pollock (AUS): 60.97
George Headley (WI): 60.83
Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG): 60.73

© AAP

close