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Australia’s supporting hero in ODI World Cup 2023 run chase against India, Marnus Labuschagne, retired his beloved bat in an emotional post. Labuschagne played a patient knock of 58 off 110 balls while opener Travis Head did the damage to stun the crowd at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad into silence on November 19.
“Think it’s finally time to retire the World Cup final bat (sad emoji),” Labuschagne wrote on social media along with a couple of photos of his bat which has gone through wear and tear.
Labuschagne played his last appearance in competitive cricket for Glamorgan against Somerset on July 19. In the T20 Blast encounter, he bagged a fifer. His last appearance with the bat was against Kent where he scored an unbeaten half-century.
Next appearance in international cricket
Labuschagne will be back in action on the international stage when Australia take on England in the five-ODI series starting on September 19 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. It will be the first series leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Lucky Labuschagne
Labuschagne shared a match-winning 192-run partnership with Head. He had a stroke of luck when umpire's call saved him from getting dismissed lbw by Jasprit Bumrah. Later, he revealed that he considers himself lucky to have been picked in the side. Also, he did not know whether he will be playing in the final till late in the night on the eve of the clash.
“What we've achieved today is unbelievable. It's the best achievement I've ever been part of. Just to come to India... Ten from ten, with one to play - they've been the team of the tournament. They've played unbelievably. But you knew if we played our best cricket, we had a chance. Our bowlers were sensational, and then Travis put on a hell of a display. It's great to be a part of it,” Labuschagne said.
“I know you guys know I'm a man of faith, and believe in God. The way everything's happened is unbelievable to me. It's just amazing; I'm lost for words. The amount of times I thought I'm done - even last night the team didn't get named until about 10.10 [pm]. Coaches went to the ground - might be dewy, I might be out. I'm very thankful to them for sticking with me. I don't have many words to explain. Few months ago, I wasn't even in South Africa in the one-day team; and to play 19 games straight is truly a miracle. I don't know how; I give thanks to God for that,” he added.
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