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The famous concussion substitute who stood up to a menacing Jofra Archer after Australia lost their best batter Steve Smith’s services in Ashes 2019 has finally notched up his maiden Test ton on England soil. After a string of unimpressive scores, Marnus Labuschagne stood up for his team when they needed it the most. Australia’s batting mainstay Labuschagne helped Australia get rid of the most of trail in the second innings and give them a chance to make a comeback in the fourth Test of the series.
Before the Test at The Old Trafford, Manchester, he registered scores of 0, 13, 47, 30, 21 and 33. Earlier, in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final, he contributed with 26 and 41 in the first and second innings respectively. In the first innings of fourth Test, he top-scored with 51 alongside Mitchell Marsh in the first innings to help Pat Cummins-led side post 317.
But Zak Crawley's splendid 189-run knock followed by half-centuries from Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow's unbeaten 99 helped the hosts post 592 and take 275-run lead.
In reply, Australia lost four wickets in the last session of Day 3. Usman Khawaja once again fell to Mark Wood's raw pace. David Warner endured Stuart Broad but got bowled by Chris Woakes. Wood took the wickets of Smith and Travis Head to push Australia on the back foot. On Day 4, Labuschagne got to his half-century from 99 balls. He targetted Joe Root and hit him for a couple of sixes. He got to his century from 161 balls.
But Root had the last laugh. Labuschagne edged it to Jonny Bairstow trying to play a cut shot. He scored 111 runs from 173 balls including 10 fours and two sixes. He shared a 103-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Marsh who held back his natural instinct to attack.
This is Labuschagne’s second Test ton in overseas conditions. His first away Test hundred came at Galle against Sri Lanka in 2022. Currently, he is Australia's leading run-scorer in WTC history. He is only behind Root on the list.
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