Ashes 2021-22: Steve Smith Has Handled Captaincy Very Well - Marnus Labuschagne

Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne has praised his fellow teammate and stand-in skipper, Steve Smith, for handling the captaincy role well during the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval.

Pat Cummins was ruled out of the day-night affair in Adelaide after being deemed to be in close contact with a covid-infected person. As a result, vice-captain Smith was promoted for the match, three years after he was removed from the same role due to the infamous Sandpaper gate.

“Steve has handled it very well, it’s not new to him. It’s nice to see him in that leadership role. From a team dynamic, I don’t think anything has changed. It’s the first time he has captained me,” Labuschagne said after the end of play on Day 2.

“Winning games for Australia is the most-enjoyable part” – Marnus Labuschagne

The top-order batsman has been in stunning form ever since he filled the role of concussion substitute for Steve Smith in the 2019 Ashes. He averages 62.48 in Tests and has already scored six centuries in 34 innings.

Labuschagne also got the bump in the ICC’s latest Test rankings and now sits behind Joe Root in second place. However, none of the accomplishments would mean anything to Labuschagne if his side wasn’t winning.

“It’s the first I’d heard of it (rise in ICC rankings). A couple of nick offs and you are right down the pecking order. I just think about scoring as many runs in each innings to try and win the game. Winning games for Australia is by far the most enjoyable part,” Labuschagne said.

The 27-year-old Labuschagne scored a century in the second Ashes Test, leading the way for his side by setting up a perfect platform in the first innings. Australia ended with 473/9 on the board in their first innings before having their opponents down to 17/2 at the end of Day 2.

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