Australia’s batting mainstay Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith share a strong bond whether it is on the field or off the field. The bond is visible when the two string big partnerships, help each other in nets or hang out in their hotel rooms. On February 2, the two watched the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023 knockout clash together in India ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023. When Michael Neser played the winning shot to take Brisbane Heat home, Labuschagne teased Smith as Sydney Sixers failed to make it to the final.
Labuschagne shared a video on Instagram where he is teasing Smith with his teammates. Smith, who played a big part in Sixers reaching the finals with two quickfire centuries on his BBL return wasn’t too happy with Labuschagne teasing him. The video has been making rounds on the internet as Brisbane Heat have advanced to the final to face Perth Scorchers on February 4 at Perth Stadium.
Neser’s unbeaten 48 helped Brisbane Heat win the low-scoring tie despite losing five wickets for just 56 runs.
Labuschagne did not have a good BBL season as he managed to score 192 runs from eight innings at an average of 24 including one half-century. On the other hand, Smith made a fantastic BBL return scoring 346 runs from just five innings at an average of 86.50 including two centuries and one fifty. He reinvented his T20 game and scored at a strike rate of 174.75. Also, he played more aerial shots and hit 25 sixes during his short stint.
The Australian team arrived in India earlier this week. Former cricketers including Ian Healy expressed his displeasure as the tour did not include a practice game before the first Test at Nagpur starting November 9. On the other hand, Smith feels that practice games in India are irrelevant.
"We normally have two tour games over in England. This time we don't have a tour game in India," Smith was quoted as saying by news.com.au on January 30.
"The last time we went (to India) I'm pretty sure we got served up a green top (to practice on) and it was sort of irrelevant. Hopefully, we get really good training facilities where the ball is likely to do what it's likely to do out in the middle, and we can get our practice in.”
