ICC World Cup 2023: Ishant Sharma Names Marnus Labuschagne As Most Stirring Test Cricketer, Says He Impressed Him In Recent Times

Star Indian pacer, Ishant Sharma named Marnus Labuschagne as the most impressive Test cricket player he has ever seen. The Indian fast-bowler brushed off Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Steven Smith, who are considered long-format cricket stars while naming the 29-year-old Aussie player.

While speaking at Jio Cinema, the 34-year-old was asked by the host about the cricket player who has impressed him the most in Test cricket in recent times and Ishant Sharma named Marnus Labuschagne.

Marnus Labuschagne has an impressive Test career and is considered one of the regular starters in long-format cricket for the Aussies. The 29-year-old batting all-rounder has appeared in 43 Test matches for the Australians and scored 3789 runs with a strike of 53.02. Labuschagne’s highest score in the Test career was 215.

In the World Test Championship Final (WTC) Final 2023, against India, Marnus Labuschagne played an important role for the Aussies in both innings. Even though he did not score a half-century in the WTC Final but the player managed to keep a strong partnership with Travis Head, who was named the Player of the Match.

In the WTC Final, India lost the match by 209 runs and Labuschagne scored 26 runs from 62 balls in the first inning and in the second inning, he played a 41-run knock from 126 balls.

Even though he has a stunning Test career the player does not have an impressive ODI and T20I career. In the 50-over format, the Aussie has played 30 matches and scored 847 runs with a strike rate of 83.2.

In the shortest format of cricket, the 29-year-old played just one T20I game and scored only two runs.

Why Marnus Labuschagne was dropped from the ODI World Cup squad?

The 29-year-old Aussie star player failed to impress the Cricket Australia chief selector with his recent performance in the ODI format which was snubbed from the squad.

Even though Marnus Labuschagne still has a chance to be included in the squad. As per the Aussie chief selector, the player will now play for the Australia A squad in the 50-over format and if the player manages to play an impressive knock he will be included later.

Australia will start their upcoming World Cup 2023 journey against India on October 8th at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.