Marnus Labuschagne strengthened his case for a place in Australia’s XI for the first Test against South Africa by scoring a quick century in the team’s only warm-up match. The 32-year-old hit 111 off 76 balls against the Cricket South Africa Invitational XI in Potchefstroom, ending an 11-month century drought across formats.
Australia’s two-day warm-up ended in a draw after the Cricket South Africa Invitational XI declared on 318/7. Australia responded with 368/6 from 74 overs, with senior batter Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Alex Carey getting valuable time at the crease before the series opener in Durban on Friday.
Marnus Labuschagne Ends Long Century Drought
Playing around 50 kilometres from his birthplace, Klerksdorp, Marnus Labuschagne produced one of his most aggressive knocks in recent times. He struck 19 boundaries, reached his century from only 76 balls and retired on 111 to give his teammates an opportunity to bat.
Marnus Labuschagne had not scored a Test century since July 2023 and had averaged only 24.69 since that innings. His recent struggles also included three failures in Australia’s series against Bangladesh.
Speaking to ABC SPORT, Labuschagne admitted that he did not make the most of his previous opportunity after returning to the Australian side.
“Probably the disappointing part at the end of that was that I didn't nail that comeback as well as I would have liked.
“But, yeah, by that stage as a player, where I was last year, you felt like you had just knocked the door down. So there was no doubt. When you get the call back and you're like, ‘You're in,’ you're thinking, ‘Well, I scored six hundreds in seven innings, or whatever it was. Five hundreds in six innings.’ That’s going to get you pretty close in most situations.”
Marnus Labuschagne Admits He Is In A “Vulnerable Spot”
Marnus Labuschagne earned his previous recall after producing a prolific Sheffield Shield run. He said he had deliberately focused on scoring heavily after being dropped, knowing that runs were the best way to force his way back into the Australian side.
“So that was good. It was pleasing to get the opportunity to get back. I think that was the part I was really glad about. I had my eye set on that. ‘Righto, let's really dig in. Runs are the currency. Get back playing at my best, and let's get back into that side.’”
“I think naturally you do [try to prove a point]. You get dropped and there's obviously a lot of criticism that comes in, and people don't want you in the team. It's no different from the situation I'm in right now.”
“Probably the disappointing part at the end of that was that I didn't nail that comeback as well as I would have liked. And it leaves me still in a little bit of a vulnerable spot now going to South Africa. But the reality is it makes for a great story when it all turns around.”
Cameron Green Injury Opens Selection Battle
Marnus Labuschagne’s position is further strengthened by Cameron Green’s abdominal strain. The all-rounder faces a race against time to prove his fitness for the Durban Test, with his availability potentially determining the only change to the Australian XI that defeated Bangladesh by an innings in Mackay.
Beau Webster used the warm-up to strengthen his case, scoring 42 off 88 balls before retiring. Cooper Connolly also remained unbeaten on 20 off 23 deliveries, while new squad additions Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper are competing for opportunities for the all-rounder’s position.
Matt Renshaw also strengthened his case to open alongside Travis Head. He did not field on the first day as Australia managed a wrist injury but returned to score 32 before edging Christopher King behind. Head made 22 off 21 balls, while Steve Smith and Alex Carey also scored half-centuries.
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