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.
“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.
“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.”
(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.
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.
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
Rob
Guest
Queenslander
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
For Labuschagne - - the lack of touring the last 2 years may be the crucial element in the protection of his average. He's only played tests (14) in Australia, England (4) and the UAE (2). His home average is 73, in England 50.42 and the UAE just 20.25 (2 tests v Pakistan for 0,13,25 ad 43). Someone like Khawaja is a home hero (52.97) but 'away' he stinks (24.36) altough far outperformed Labuschagne in the UAE (229 @ 76.33). So.............for me - jury is still out on Labuschagne. We need to see him in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka........
Brett Susan
Roar Rookie
Pollock played for and is from South Africa. Give yourself an uppercut.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Yes, I remember that one now. Great stuff.
matth
Roar Guru
Here’s a little something I prepared earlier :stoked: https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/06/05/test-crickets-progressive-batting-average-records/
matth
Roar Guru
At one point Labs had been out caught 12 times plus had 12 catches dropped. Not sure what his current situation is
matth
Roar Guru
Usually a 20 innings minimum. Vosges just qualifies
Kyu Karawita
Roar Rookie
Time is needed to tell. All his tons have been scored in Australia, he has had no games in South Africa or anywhere in the subcontinent. An average is not a good measure in this case.
JGK
Roar Guru
Well yes. The article itself (including the headline) needs a giant asterisk.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
JGK, no questioning his start but to say he's the greatest since Bradman based on these figures are a bit of overkill . If he can sustain these figures throughout his career good luck to him and may be best Australian since Bradman based on early figures but long way to go .
Micko
Roar Rookie
:silly:
Micko
Roar Rookie
The kiwis can have it, don't like it anyway! :silly:
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
My big problem with Lab and Voges is their first class averages , 46 is way too low. Considering you have more weak teams than ever. You have a lot of batsman close together but you would have to give it to George Headley because of his 70 first class average over a long span. 3rd would be Herbert Sutcliffe with 50000 first class runs over a very long time span even though his first class average isn't that high 52 its the length of the career.
JGK
Roar Guru
I think all we are saying is that he's had a great start to his career.
JGK
Roar Guru
It's worth adding that of this list, for those who went on to 2500+ runs, only Bradman, Sutcliffe and Sobers ended up averaging over 53 in Tests.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
*bumps. This bloody autocorrect is very annoying.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Let's get to the crux of it . Is he exceptionally Better or is the bowling weaker from when all these other topliners . Any Australian facing west indies quicks or even west Indians facing guys like Thomson, Lillee and co did it a lot harder than any player in the last twenty years and they did it without a helmet . They also said it about Clarke . This bloke is kidding himself.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
*plays.
JGK
Roar Guru
Others averaging over 60 when they scored their 2000th run. Bradman DG Aus 100.00 Hussey MEK Aus 83.33 Headley GA WI 71.43 Sutcliffe H Eng 68.97 Walters KD Aus 66.67 Javed Miandad Pak 66.67 Compton DCS Eng 66.67 Worrell FMM WI 64.52 Sobers GStA WI 64.52 Gilchrist AC Aus 62.50 Pollock RG RSA 62.50 Morris AR Aus 62.50 Harvey RN Aus 62.50 Richards IVA WI 60.61
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Actual dropped chances might be telling. Doesn’t seem to be a stat that is well recorded anywhere. One guy did an article a few years ago analysing all dropped catches 2000-16 by laboriously going through ball-by-ball commentary sites. Found that the luckiest batter in the period was Sehwag, with 37% of his chances missed, way above average, which he speculated might have been a reflection of his powerful hitting. Or maybe it was just luck – it’s only a high probability that it will even out over time, not a certainty.