BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 15: Marnus Labuschagne of Australia celebrates scoring a century during day one of the 4th Test Match in the series between Australia and India at The Gabba on January 15, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Marnus Labuschagne hit back at his critics and declared he won’t be changing his quirky ways after breaking a year-long century drought on a gritty first day against India at the Gabba.
The fight for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy hangs in the balance after Labuschagne’s 108 (204 balls) on Friday helped Australia recover from a shaky start to finish 5-274 at stumps on Day 1 of the series-deciding Test.
It was the Queensland batsman’s first Test century since the 2020 New Year Test against New Zealand in Sydney after COVID killed most of last year’s red ball series.
Labuschagne unwittingly found himself at the centre of controversy last week following a television commentary gaffe involving Australian cricketing legends Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds.
Warne and Symonds were caught criticising Labuschagne’s on-field quirks and making reference to him having “ADD”.
After falling for 91 and 73 at the SCG last week, Labuschagne made India pay for dropping him twice in scoring his fifth Test century and second on home turf.
“My focus is just with the bat,” Labuschagne said when asked about the criticism.
“I know I’m always buzzing and always talking and keeping the energy up in the team. That’s one of the roles I’ve taken up in the team.
Marnus Labuschagne carried the weight of Australia's batting with a terrific century. PICTURE: Getty
“My job is to score runs. I’ve been slightly disappointed I haven’t been able to get a big score. I want to make sure I’m really focussed.
“I’m definitely disappointed not going on and getting a really good score.
“We’ll still take the position we’re in. It’s a really good performance.”
Labuschagne’s innings and a stylish 45 (87) from Matthew Wade put Australia in a stable position to win the fourth and final Test against injury-ravaged India.
With three players on debut and their least experienced bowling attack in 80 years, India struck early to have Australia wobbling at 2-17 before Labuschagne, Steve Smith (36) and Wade steadied the ship.
India captain Ajinkya Rahane spilled Labuschagne at gully on 37 off the bowling of Navdeep Saini (0-21), who strained his groin in the same motion and was sent for scans.
RE-LIVE OUR BLOG OF DAY ONE OF THE GABBA TEST BELOW
Labuschagne posted his first century of the summer, in a return to his form of last year. Picture: Getty
Shortly after, Cheteshwar Pujara dropped a tough chance at first slip with Labuschagne on 48. He raced away moments later with three quick boundaries and didn’t look back.
“Indian bowling attacks are very disciplined, it doesn’t matter who is playing, they’re very strategic and well-planned,” Labuschagne said.
“I had to formulate some plans on the run and keep understanding the situation of what they were doing.
“It doesn’t matter who it’s against, you want to make sure you’re scoring hundreds. It’s disappointing I didn’t make it a really big hundred.”
It was going to take a monumental effort for India to win this Test match on the back of captain Virat Kohli’s (parental leave) absence and injuries to Ravi Ashwin (back), Jasprit Bumrah (abs) and Ravindra Jadeja (wrist) among others.
Not since the 1940s has India fielded such an inexperienced bowling line-up and the entire team had only taken a combined total of 13 Test wickets heading into the first day’s play while Australia’s world class attack boasted 1046 scalps.
It was a sorry day for Marcus Harris, who was dismissed cheaply in his return to the team. Picture: Getty
But India has shown tremendous fight this series and did so again late in the day, with debutant quick T Natarajan (2-63) picking up the wickets of Labuschagne and Wade in successive overs to leave the match evenly poised.
After winning the toss and electing to bat on a beautiful Gabba wicket, Australia’s opening fragilities were once again exposed.
Australia has experimented with 24 different opening combinations since 2016 and the David Warner-Marcus Harris alliance once again failed.
Warner’s poor form since returning prematurely from a groin injury continued when he was caught brilliantly by a diving Rohit Sharma at second slip for one off Mohammed Siraj (1-51 ) in the first over.
Warner has only reached 50 in one of his past nine innings, an unbeaten 111 against New Zealand last January.
Harris’ Test form is even worse.
David Warner has struggled to find his best form following a groin injury. Picture: Getty
Called in for the injured Will Pucovski (shoulder), Harris departed softly for five and hasn’t reached 50 in his last 11 innings. His top Test score of 79 came more than two years ago against India.
While Pucovski appears to be the favoured partner for Warner, Australia’s inability to find a successful top order duo is a concern ahead of next month’s tour of South Africa.
The best opening partnership in seven innings this series has been 70, when Australia was chasing 90 to win the first Test in Adelaide. The second best has been 16.
While Labuschagne and Smith relish the contest, they are too often being exposed early in an innings and leaving Australia in precarious positions.
Seemingly fired up after his SCG “pitch tampering” controversy, Smith looked in cruise control before debutant Washington Sundar (1-63) picked up the prized Australian scalp by drawing a stray shot.
Updates
Stumps: Australia 5-274
Liam.Twomey
What a day of cricket. One hour ago I would have said the honours were even. But after the last hour, which saw Paine and Green put on a 50 run stand, I think the Aussies are on top. They will now have their eyes locked on reaching 400 (at a minimum). If they can get there, it will be very, very hard for India to win this Test. For India, they will look back at those dropped chances. If they’d removed Labuschagne cheaply when they had the chance and Green, who knows where this game would be.
Oh! What a moment here for both teams. Cameron Green has been given a life after a return catch was put down by Shardul Thakur. The ball was hit back at him with some heat but that is the sort of chance you need to take in this situation. It would have left Tim Paine and the bowlers going up against the second new ball. Who knows what would have happened from there. Now, the Indians have a choice to make. Do they take the new ball or save it for tomorrow? It looks like they are going to take it.
Travis Meyn India debutant Washington Sundar claimed the prized wicket of Steve Smith in his Test debut earlier today and the Australian star ironically played a big role in his rival's success. Sundar was captained by Smith at IPL franchise Pune Supergiants in 2017. Then a teenager, Sundar told Cricbuzz that he owed Smith for his development. “Not many captains would play an off-spinner for 11 consecutive games," Sundar said. "We have seen very few captains do that in the IPL level. He has shown a lot of belief in me. He threw the ball to me in the first six overs a lot of times.” Smith departed for 36 when he was caught at midwicket by Rohit Sharma off the off-spin of Sundar, his first Test wicket against a player who averages more than 90 against spin in Australia.
Liam.Twomey
We have about an hour to go here on day one. And one thing to keep an eye on is the overs and how many India can get with the new ball. The tourists are a long way behind on the over rate. But the new ball is up for grabs in about seven overs. I’d be trying to race through a few overs here and get into Paine with that new rock. Bowl short and quick and see how the Aussie skipper goes.
Wicket: Labuschagne caught Pant bowled Natarajan for 108
Liam.Twomey
It’s really game on now. Just when you thought Australia was starting to run away with the game, India hits back. Marnus Labuschagne is on his bike, caught behind by Pant, with Natarajan taking his second wicket. That was a brilliant innings from Labuschagne and you can’t be critical of him. But with the score now 5-213, this next hour is going to be massive. A wicket here and India hit the bowlers. All eyes will be on Tim Paine. He was the centre of attention after the third Test. How will he respond now?
Wicket: Wade caught Thakur bowled Natarajan for 45
Liam.Twomey
Oh no! Matthew Wade has done it again. He’s got a start and once again, has given his wicket away. This time he misjudged a pull shot off Natarajan, clipping his top edge which led to a simple catch. That’s a mighty blow for him. There are runs to be had this afternoon. Where is his future at now?
What a fine innings from Marnus Labuschagne! It wasn’t without a bit of luck, being dropped in both the first and second sessions. But he has taken those chances and run with them. The Aussie No.3 has cracked a brilliant ton, coming off 195 balls. This is now his fifth Test match century after just 18 matches. His average of 60 continues to climb. He’s come a long way since being the concussion sub during the Ashes.
Robert Craddock When Steve Smith’s reputation was being tossed around in social media’s tumble dryer this week Big Brother was watching with interest. Higher up the chain Cricket Australia officials were watching and nervously waiting how the furore over his pitch-scraping episode played out. The potential long-term ramifications were far greater than the tiddly little incident in itself. The jury is still out among the game’s powerbrokers over whether Smith will be invited to captain Australia when Tim Paine’s term is done. READ THE FULL STORY HERE <br/>
