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Fresh from hitting his 10th Test century, Marnus Labuschagne is mounting a strong case to be included in Australia’s greatest Test side, according to Kerry O’Keeffe.
Labuschagne, 28, entered the record books on day two of the second Test against the West Indies, as he brought up 3000 Test runs in his 51st innings.
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By doing so, he became the second fastest Australian to the milestone – behind only Sir Donald Bradman, who reached the feat in 33 innings, but quicker than Neil Harvey (54), Matthew Hayden (61) and Steve Smith and Mike Hussey (63).
Labuschagne eventually fell for 163, as he was well caught behind off Devon Thomas. His dismissal saw his average drop to 61.42.
Marnus Labuschagne is entering the conversation around Australia’s greatest XI. Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
But before departing, O’Keeffe, one of cricket’s most respected voices, said the world was watching a “master batter” and someone who was quickly entering the conversation of Australia’s greatest XI.
“I think we’ve got to start to have a conversation about best ever Australian Test team,” O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket.
“[Matthew] Hayden, [David] Warner, Bradman, Labuschagne, Ricky Ponting will get in, but might have to bat a little lower.”
At that point, fellow commentator Brendon Julian jumped in: “You can tell him.”
“No, can you relay the message,” O’Keffee quipped.
“But when you look at the numbers, I mean Ponting’s are outstanding, I was being facetious, but there’ll be a juxtaposition in that middle-order to accommodate Smith, Labuschagne and Ponting,” he added.
“And Gilly [Adam Gilchrist] at seven. I mean, this is going up, it’s 62.5, nobody’s found an answer to it. If this goes up into the mid-60s, he’s got to be in that XI.”
Asked whether he would have Smith in the XI by Julian, O’Keeffe said he would.
“Yeah, six. But Ponting, Labuschagne, Smith is a good middle-order, and that leaves out Greg Chappell and people like that – it’s hard to do. But on pure numbers and what they may achieve by career end, Labuschagne is looking hard to omit.”
Mike Hussey, however, put the breaks on O’Keeffe.
“It doesn’t always run like this though, Kerry,” he said. “He’ll have some challenges.”
Mike Hussey says talk around whether Marnus Labuschagne is in the conversation around Australia’s greatest team must be slowed until later in his career. Photo: Hamish Blair/Getty Images
O’Keeffe, who later admitted he was being cheeky, admitted challenges awaited, especially overseas in places like India, but said on current form Labuschagne’s form was formidable.
This is how the conversation continues.
Hussey: “I’m not aggrieved at all.
O’Keeffe: “You sounded a bit. You can carry the drinks and do speaking gigs.
Julian: “No Allan Border in there. They faced some ruthless attacks back then in the 80s and early 90s.
O’Keeffe: “Wow, fancy trying to attack your era. Sorry about that.
Hussey: “Let’s just judge him at the end of his career.
O’Keeffe: “A little defensive. Have a look at the numbers: Marnus Labuschagne.
Julian: “On the big screen there, 3000 runs for Marnus. Quickest to 3000 here Kerry. Bradman 33, Marnus 51.
O’Keeffe: “No, Huss, you’re in at five on those numbers. How could you possibly (be left out). Huss was 63. We’re watching a master batter, who finds a way, guys. And your point’s valid Huss. I’m sorry to be silly about it because there are so many challenges ahead, which will define your final average and that’s turning pitches in India, seeming in England, which he has done well on, but a lot to happen.
Julian: “Well, that’s right. I mean, out of those 3000 runs, 2250 are in Australia, which is obviously very good.”
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