Australia’s newest batting star, Marnus Labuschagne started off the new year in the best way possible, as he smashed his first double-century in international cricket against New Zealand in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Labuschagne had come close to making his maiden double hundred twice in the preceding Test series against Pakistan late last year, making scores of 162 and 185 but had not been able to see it through. However, he did not let the opportunity go against the Kiwis.
Batting at no.3, Labuschagne walked in fairly early when Joe Burns fell early with the score at 39-1. He lost David Warner at the other end a while later but prevented any further damage when he was joined by the man he came on as a concussion substitute for in the Ashes, Steve Smith.
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Along with Smith, Labuschagne put on a mammoth 156-run partnership for the third wicket as his senior partner scored 63. He then shared mini-partnerships with the following batsmen and they hung around long enough for Labuschagne to score his double-century, an innings that was laced with 19 fours and a six.
Labuschagne, who ended 2019 as the highest run-scorer in Test cricket in the calendar year, has been in tremendous form ever since coming on to bat in place of Steve Smith at the Ashes. His batting prowess was such that he broke into the ICC Top 10 rankings for batsmen and also ended the year in that list.
The no.3’s innings helped Australia to a big score of 454 in their first innings. In response, the New Zealand openers ended the second day on 63-0 as Tom Blundell and stand-in skipper, Tom Latham ensured that the Kiwis did not endure the batting collapse that has befallen them in the previous Tests.
Of course, Twitter was very appreciative of Labuschagne’s efforts, as it has been every time he has batted. Check 0ut some of the reactions:
HE'S GOT THE DOUBLE!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2020
Amazing innings, Marnus Labuschagne! 👏#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/ZnXyPKrdOx
Marnus Labuschagne’s Test batting average has just gone past Steve Smith’s #AUSvNZ
— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) January 3, 2020
Marnus Labuschagne joins England's Wally Hammond (905) and Australia pair Neil Harvey (834) and Don Bradman (810 & 806) as the only batters to score 800 runs in a five-Test summer on Australian soil #AUSvNZ
— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) January 4, 2020
Marnus Labuschagne has basically batted for the entire school holidays and I think it’s about time Mum or Dad stepped in.
— Russell Jackson (@rustyjacko) January 4, 2020
✅ Going past Steve Smith's Test batting average
— ICC (@ICC) January 4, 2020
✅ Scoring his first Test double hundred
✅ Closing in on 500 runs in this series
Marnus Labuschagne is having the time of his life!#AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/EgzUcdhDQr
Most Test runs after first 22 innings...
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 4, 2020
2115 - Don Bradman (Aus)
1611 - Herbert Sutcliffe (Eng)
1520 - Everton Weekes (WI)
1408 - Arthur Morris (Aus)
1400 - Marnus Labuschagne (Aus)#AusvNZ
From promising youngster waiting on the sidelines for a regular place in Australia’s paying XI less than 6 months back, Labuschagne has grown into a phenomenon!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 4, 2020
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Jeremy NG
