AUS vs ENG: Marnus Labuschagne Caught Off-Guard By ODI Captain Call After Steve Smith Snub

Marnus Labuschagne acknowledges that he was shocked that Josh Hazlewood was chosen as Australia’s temporary ODI captain rather than fellow batting great Steve Smith.

After just one match as Australia’s 50-over captain in the wake of longtime captain Aaron Finch’s resignation from the format, Pat Cummins missed Saturday’s victory over England.

But Hazlewood, Australia’s 28th ODI captain, was chosen to take the helm at the SCG instead of Smith, who had previously filled the position.

The Thought Was To Give Josh Hazlewood An Opportunity: Marnus Labuschagne

Australia wants to be a team with a multitude of leaders, according to Marnus Labuschagne, who said that the choice originally caught him off guard.

“It was probably a little bit of a surprise but I think as a squad and as a group, we’re trying to make sure that we’re not just kind of becoming a team that can be focused on one specific person to captain,” the Queenslander said at the MCG on Monday.

“Josh and Steve are great leaders and Steve’s got a wealth of captaincy experience.

“Obviously the thought was to give Josh an opportunity in that leadership space where he hasn’t had much opportunity prior to that.”

When Cummins assumed the position of Test captain last November after Tim Paine was forced to step down, Smith was named Australia’s vice-captain.

Shortly after Cummins was disqualified from the Adelaide match owing to COVID protocols, the 33-year-old was reinstated as captain and led Australia in the second Test of the 2017 Ashes. Smith’s first match as captain following the infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in 2018 was that Test match against England.

Aside from the uncertainty surrounding the captaincy, Smith is at his best before the summer test season. Smith followed up his record-breaking 80 last Thursday with a 94 the following day.

Steve Smith Felt Like His Grip Was Right: Marnus Labuschagne

A critical 101-run partnership between Marnus Labuschagne (58) and Steve Smith was a positive indicator for Australia going into two Tests against the West Indies and a three-match series against South Africa.

On Friday, Smith remarked that his innings in Adelaide was the best he had felt at the crease in the previous six years.

“For him, it was a feel thing and he felt like his grip was right,” Labsuchagne said.

“His momentum into the ball, he was a bit more side-on, so all that came together and I think that’s what gives him the confidence.”

In the third and final ODI against England at the MCG on Tuesday, Australia will hold a commanding 2-0 lead.

Also Read:AUS vs ENG: Alex Hales Not Considering Competing In The ODI World Cup In India In 2023

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