Marnus Labuschagne became the first concussion substitute in 2019 after Steve Smith was hit by a bouncer from Jofra Archer. Since then, Labuschagne has been the highest run-getter for Australia and the second-highest overall, only behind Joe Root. Labuschagne is a huge fan of Smith’s batting and that is visible in most of the shots, particularly the way he leaves the ball. Australian cricket is lucky that Labuschagne has also been able to replicate Smith’s stats. In this piece, we analyze the player’s performance in various conditions against different opponents.
Consistency after being a concussion substitute
Overall the player averages 61 in Test cricket. After being a concussion substitute, Labuschagne has scored 1749 runs in 25 innings and has crossed the double-digit score an exceptional 24 times. 15 times the player has managed to cross the 50-run mark. Joe Root has 16 scores of 50+ in the same phase but has taken 51 innings. Labuschagne only needed half of it.
Labuschagne’s batting prowess has solved the number three issue for Australia. With David Warner opening the innings and Smith at number four, Labuschagne’s form has given this Australian team the much-needed top order to bring back the golden days of Australian cricket. He is the third-highest run-getter at that position since his debut. Cheteshwar Pujara, who is just ahead of him, has scored 1647 runs, but in 48 innings. Labuschagne, in 23 innings, has 1574 runs. He is only behind Kane Williamson, both in terms of runs and centuries at that spot.
Labuschagne, with his performances, has competed with three of the ‘fab four’ batters, and it is just the start of his Test career. He has already been the more superior batter, at least in terms of stats, for Australia than Smith and is in close competition in the stat race with Root and Williamson for most runs at the number three position. The beginning is great, but there are a lot many things the batter has to prove.
Unconquered territory
The batter has figured out batting in the first and the second innings of the match with an average of 97.7 and 62.5 respectively. Yes, first-team inning runs matter a lot, but the best players put up their hands in the second inning when the conditions are more challenging, and the team either needs to get out of a tricky situation or save the match. Labuschagne averages 38.78 in the third innings and 27 in the fourth innings. Call it the fan in Labuschagne or the ‘Steve Smith clone’, the player would want to replicate the averages in the third and the fourth innings too. If Labuschagne can do that, he will surely earn some more praise from the cricketing pundits and the fans.
Batting in home conditions is usually considered easier no matter the conditions of the pitch. The real test of a batter is during the away tours, especially the subcontinental tours for an Australian batter. Labuschagne has only played in Australia, England, and two matches in the United Arab Emirates, averaging 20 in UAE. The batter still needs to score runs against spin in India and Sri Lanka, on the tricky pacy pitches in South Africa, and almost grass-like pitches in New Zealand. Labuschagne’s idol Smith averages 60 in India, 131 in New Zealand, and 41 in South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Conclusion
The player never looked back after he got an opportunity out of nowhere. Yes, having four home series after that Ashes has helped Labuschagne in terms of batting conditions and also the team dominating the matches. As of now, Australia are set to tour Pakistan in March 2022, and that will be one big test for Labuschagne and if he contributes in that series, he will gain a lot of confidence going ahead in other away series. The final frontier will be scoring against India in India, and if that leads to a series win, as of now there is nothing better for a batter coming from a non-sub continental country. The reason is simple, conditions are tough, and the Indian team has not lost since nine years at home. Right now, Labuschagne would want to continue his dream run at home and help Australia win the Ashes. It won’t be surprising if the batter ends as the highest run-getter of the Ashes 2021-22.