Maybe We Have A Slight Edge But They Hung In There Throughout: Marnus Labuschagne

Australian batting juggernaut Marnus Labuschagne reckoned that the hosts may slightly ahead in the series-decider at the Gabba at stumps on day 01 but admitted that India, despite their heavily depleted attack, hung in there for the best part of the day.

Marnus Labuschagne’s first hundred of the series was instrumental in Australia eventually posting 5/274 at the close of play on day 01

The Australian No.3 came in to bat in as early as the first over of the innings after opener David Warner edged Mohammed Siraj in the slip-cordon. Australia soon lost their second opener in Marcus Harris before Labuschagne and Steve Smith combined to stitch 70 runs for the third wicket.

Smith was dismissed by Washington Sundar at the score of 36. Marnus Labuschagne could also have followed Smith back to the pavilion but for Ajinkya Rahane, who dropped a sitter in the gully region in the very next over.

The Australian No.3 made full use of reprieve as he went on a rampage post that drop, scoring his next 71 runs in a mere 97 balls and in the process, he went on to notch up his 5th Test ton.

“You know you don’t need to be playing at anything around 4th stump line or even 3 and a half stumps. I tell myself to be cool, when you get to a hundred just carry on. It’s about how that moment is, I don’t plan my hundred celebration,” Marnus Labuschagne told reporters.

Marnus Labuschagne, however, could not convert his ton into a daddy hundred as he miscued an attempted pull to give Rishabh Pant an easy catch of the bowling of T Natarajan.

The 26-year-old admitted that he was disappointed with his dismissal but he heaped high praise on the duo of Tim Paine and Cameron Green for the manner in which they went about their business against the second new ball, ensuring that Australia did not lose any more wickets on day 01.

“Little bit disappointed that I got out. For Tim and Green to play like that against the new ball was good. Maybe we have a slight edge but they hung in there throughout,” Marnus Labuschagne added.

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