When Australia's squad for the three-ODI series against India was announced, Marnus Labuschagne was the notable omission. Part of Australia's ODI World Cup 2023-winning team in India, Labuschagne was dropped after scoring two runs from as many innings against South Africa in home series. 10 innings without a half-century in ODIs caught up with him as he faced the snub. However, Labuschagne is letting his bat do the talking. In the ongoing Australian Domestic One-Day Cup, Queensland captain scored a century against Tasmania at Allan Border Field, Brisbane.
Labuschagne had to walk out to bat early in the fifth over after Tasmania skipper Jordan Silk won the toss and opted to field first. After Riley Meredith's early strike, Labuschagne joined opener Jack Clayton in the middle. The two batters shared a 90-run partnership for the second wicket from 61 deliveries. Clayton scored 64 runs from 51 deliveries, including seven fours and a six.
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Labuschagne bats with his ODI replacement
Batting with his ODI replacement Matt Renshaw, Labuschagne reached his fifty from 51 balls. Labuschagne accelerated after reaching his fifty in the middle overs. Renshaw hit two sixes and three fours in his 35-ball 38. He lost his wicket to Ian Carlisle in the 29th over.
Labuschagne departs shortly after reaching 100
In the 36th over, Labuschagne hit Nikhil Chaudhary for a boundary square of the wicket to reach his fifth List A ton. He took 89 balls to reach the milestone. However, in the same over, he was dismissed by Chaudhary. The skipper departed after scoring 105 runs from 91 balls, laced with eight fours and a couple of sixes.
From 241/3, Queensland suffered a collapse and were bowled out for 311 in 45.3 overs. Chaudhary claimed three whereas Meredith, Carlisle and Matthew Kuhnemann bagged two wickets apiece.
Labuschagne in good form ahead of Ashes squad announcement
While Labuschagne doesn't seem to be Australia's ODI plans, the 31-year-old is still gunning for a spot in the Ashes squad. He scored 160 runs against Tasmania in the previous Sheffield Shield clash, The match ended in a draw. Earlier, he scored 130 runs from 118 balls against Victoria. Queensland won by 55 runs despite Glenn Maxwell's 82-ball 107 on One-Day return.
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