Australia’s struggling batter Marnus Labuschagne has made a strong case for his place in Australia’s Test team for the first Test against South Africa, starting on October 9 in Durban. Labuschagne came out with the kind of response, which was needed at this point in order for him to cement his place in the Test team.
His place in Australia’s Test batting line-up had been under growing scrutiny following a series of lacklustre outings, but the veteran batter’s fiery century on a South Africa tour game against a Cricket South Africa Invitation XI has helped him strengthen his claim for selection ahead of the upcoming Test series. Labuschagne brought up his century off 76 balls, blasting 19 boundaries in a rather encouraging performance. Overall, he bludgeoned 111 off 89 balls before retiring out.
This innings will surely provide an important confidence boost for Labuschagne, who has endured a century drought over the past three years. His poor run of form, coupled with the century drought, had touched off discussions surrounding Labuschagne’s place in the team. But despite all that, selectors kept their faith with him, giving him repeated opportunities. Now, he is expected to take his usual position at No. 3 in the first Test against South Africa and would look to carry on with his red-hot form. Notably, this will be Australia’s first Test series in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.