Marnus Labuschagne’s great form with the bat has carried over with the ball too on Day 3 of the opening Test in Perth.
The Aussies made regular breakthroughs to have the Black Caps reeling, with Mitch Starc perhaps benefitting from a fortunate decision that saw him secure his five-wicket haul.
And such was their control of the play, even part-time legspinner Labuschagne made the ball talk.
The 25-year-old produced a ripping legbreak that pitched well outside off and spun sharply past Black Cap allrounder Mitch Santner’s bat to cannon into the stumps.
The wicket is Labuschange’s 11th in Test cricket and his first since the fourth Ashes Test at Manchester earlier this year.
The Black Caps would be bowled out for 166 before the end of the first session.
Paul
Roar Guru
If Labuschagne can keep working on his leggies, he might solve that all rounder fixation our selectors seem to have. He's proving you don't have to be a fast bowling all rounder to keep the runs down and pick up a wicket while getting through a dozen overs.
Paul
Roar Guru
I was wondering the same thing, but Ian Smith was in commentary and he declared it "100% legal". I'm also assuming the 3rd umpire had a good look at it as Santner was leaving and thought it was okay.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Is that a no ball?