Australia v West Indies: Marnus Labuschagne eclipses Steve Smith record with century in Perth
Marnus Labuschagne surpassed Steve Smith on the record books before proving why he is cricket’s great batting enigma. Re-live all the talking points from the opening day of the Test summer.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Steve Smith might have declared recently, “I’m back baby,” but day one of the Test series was proof Marnus Labuschagne has never left.
Labuschagne continues to be the lock that rival attacks around the world simply can’t quite pick as his monstrous 154 not out demoralised a West Indies side that sadly already seem deflated.
The Australian No.3 has displayed remarkable consistency since his Test debut back in 2018, and on day one against the West Indies in Perth, Labuschagne delivered his eighth Test hundred to once again set the tone as the certified new anchorman for the world’s No.1 team.
“Whenever you are not out overnight on 150 the next stop is 200. It’s just going to be for me tomorrow if I’m able to stick to the process for long enough,” said Labuschagne.
“If I do I’m sure I’ll get there. But you’ve got to put that out of your mind, take it ball by ball and if the 200 does come that’s great but more importantly I’m trying to get as many runs for the team.”
Kerry O’Keeffe declared on Fox Cricket that “symbiosis” was taking place at Optus Stadium, as master Smith joined his apprentice to drive Australia to 2-293 at stumps on day one.
After boldly announcing pre-match that his current form was a “perfect storm” for a big summer with the bat, Smith cruised to 59 not out and a 29th Test century beckons on day two unless the Windies can somehow dislodge him from back to the future mode.
There is great anticipation about how many runs Smith might score this summer after Test doyen Greg Chappell predicted changes made to the batting giant’s technique could not only return him to the glory years – but take him beyond them to uncharted levels of greatness.
However, the more underrated but equally significant point made by Chappell in his weekend newspaper column was his observation that Labuschagne is the only modern batsman who comes close to replicating Smith’s quirky genius as a batsman.
On some measures, Labuschagne is even ahead.
Playing his 29th Test in Perth, Labuschagne has made 21 scores of 50 plus since his debut, and at the same point in his career, Smith had 20.
The fact Labuschagne leads the likes of David Warner (18), Matthew Hayden (17), Damien Martyn (16), Mark Waugh (15), Justin Langer (14), Ricky Ponting (13) and Steve Waugh (12) gives some idea of the company the 28-year-old run-machine is keeping.
For the highest Test batting average on Australian soil, only Sir Donald Bradman (98) comes in better than Labuschagne (67.46), who is now ahead of Smith (63.46) on this count as well.
“No-one in my time has hit more balls in practice than Steve Smith,” said Justin Langer on Channel 7.
“Then along came Marnus Labuschagne and I think he probably equals it. They just keep lifting and pushing each other.”
Labuschagne has defied all sorts of new game plans from opposition teams who try and do their homework on him, but come up scratching their heads. He is easily the biggest improvement to the Australian team in recent years.
There have been attempts to get him playing more leg-side, teams have bowled wide to him in an a bid to trip him up – but so far no one has really nailed Labuschagne who is particularly dangerous in the first Test of a series where he averages 89 since the 2019 Ashes.
Labuschagne is showing the benefit of a very pure, very adaptable technique and powered to a brilliant century as he settled into an unbeaten 142 run partnership with Steve Smith, where they feed off each other like they’re almost the same organism.
“Your turn to hit a four, then my turn next,” described O’Keeffe.
Labuschagne confirmed a special understanding is shared.
“I think we use each other really well at training and in the middle just as bouncing boards,” said Labuschagne.
“Today there’s a few things where he’s like, ‘how’s it looking?’
“And you know for me it’s just positive reinforcement.
“… It’s like that in any partnership but probably with me and Steve, there’s a little bit more technical stuff as well just because we talk a lot about batting.”
Ian Smith said it is a partnership that could be glorious for Australian cricket over a 12 months’ which features an Indian Test tour, a Test Championship final, an Ashes, and a 50-over World Cup.
“If you look down the history of the game, people who like and profit from batting together who aren’t openers … these guys would be on the list,” said Smith.
Test great Mike Hussey credited both for toning down the exuberance and idiosyncrasies to find a settled medium at the crease.
“They seem more calm, in control, a bit subdued. Almost in a little batting bubble,” said Hussey on Fox.
“I think I like it better.”
Labuschagne also shared in his first ever 100-run partnership with Usman Khawaja, strange because of the bond they have built as Queensland teammates.
The pair showed great resilience and character to overcome the early wicket of David Warner (5) and carry Australia from early trouble at 1-9 to a position of strength at 1-151, before Khawaja was finally nicked off by bustling allrounder Kyle Mayers for 65 off 149 balls.
Perhaps the greatest testament that can be made to Labuschagne’s status as an Australian Test batsman is the fact he has completely changed the role of Smith.
Smith is still poised to play a big role in this match, but once again the start to this Test has showcased how Labuschagne has alleviated much of the pressure that used to fall on the former captain’s shoulders to lift Australia should the other all-time great in the line-up, Warner, fall.
Smith admits he used to relish the do-or-die gravity of having to box his way off the ropes to save his country from collapse and so often it brought out his best.
But the burden of that took its toll on Smith and even he admits he’s not sure what price he may have had to pay for those years of high stakes batting now he’s entered into the back end of his career.
It’s been a challenge for Smith to learn how to maintain his razor sharp edge when he’s not always required to be the main man, but his recent form suggests Australia could be entering a sweet spot where the batting order is capable of firing from all cylinders.
Re-live all the day one action below!
DROPPED: WINDIES BLOW LATE CHANCE
Marnus Labuschagne survives a late chance as West Indies look to salvage something with the new ball late on day one.
The centurion picks out the only man in the deep on the on side but Test debutant Tagenarine Chanderpaul fails to pick up the cherry in the fading light.
It’s a huge blow for the tourists who have toiled on a good deck and bowled without luck at Optus Stadium.
Labuschagne, however, moves to 150.
Labuschagne's getting that double now. Tough chance but may not get many from here.#AUSvWI
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) November 30, 2022
STATE OF PLAY: NEW BALL AVAILABLE
One way or another, get ready for fireworks.
The new ball is available for the West Indies – and boy, do they need it to produce.
Steve Smith is looking at his dominant best and has raced to a half-century. You know he will have his eyes on three figures.
The only problem with the new ball is, if the bowlers don’t get it right the runs may flow at an even quicker rate.
The Aussie run rate is up to 3.34 and 45 runs have come from the past 10 overs.
Jayden Seales, who removed David Warner, is going to have to stand up and you’d think Kemar Roach will also get a crack.
They need at least one wicket or this will go down as a day one disaster.
‘I’M BACK, BABY’: SMITH’S BLISTERING 50
Anything you can do, Marnus.
Just hours after Marnus Labuschagne eclipsed Steve Smith on the record books, Australia’s former captain responded with a blistering half century.
Labuschagne had earlier surpassed Smith, scoring his 21st 50+ score from 29 Test matches. Smith held the record with 20.
But armed with a new batting technique, Smith wasn’t going to lift the pedal on a tiring Wests Indies attack, crunching 50 from 73 balls.
WARNING SIGNS: HOW BIG CAN AUSSIES GO?
This match is officially entering a serious danger zone for the West Indies.
After the Aussie run-rate hovered around 2.5 an over for much of the day, the runs are really starting to flow now.
From the last 10 overs, 56 runs have been scored between Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
That has lifted the overall run rate to 3.21.
But perhaps the bigger concern is the lack of chances that are being created with the ball.
Nothing is beating the bat, there are no appeals, it is all on Australia’s terms out there.
The second new ball is available in nine overs and that is about all the West Indies have to look forward to.
A score of 500+ is absolutely in play now.
He's done it! ðŸ˜
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) November 30, 2022
Marnus Labuschagne brings up the first hundred of the Summer for the Aussies! 💯 #AUSvWIpic.twitter.com/PloL6XnZ57
STATE OF PLAY: LABUSCHAGNE CENTURY
Marnus Labuschagne has scored the first Test ton of the summer.
The run-scoring machine added to his seven Test centuries with a commanding innings Perth.
Australia’s No.3 continued his incredible strike-rate, notching his eighth century from just 28 matches.
Labuschagne smashed 13 boundaries on his way to the special milestone.
His incredible accent to Australia’s most important batsman is highlighted by the incredible statistic below.
THE LABUSCHAGNE RECORD THAT IS HARD TO BELIEVE
If you needed any extra evidence as to just how good Marnus Labuschagne has performed since becoming a regular member of the Australian team, here it is.
Today is the 21st time he has passed 50 runs in his first 29 Tests.
That is more than some of the biggest names in the game, including his current partner Steve Smith.
Incredibly, Labuschagne has hit the milestone eight more times than Ricky Ponting at the same part of his career.
50+ scores after 29 Tests:
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) November 30, 2022
21 - Marnus Labuschagne
20 - Steve Smith
18 - David Warner
17 - Matthew Hayden
16 - Damien Martyn
15 - Mark Waugh
14 - Justin Langer
13 - Ricky Ponting
12 - Steve Waugh#AUSvWI
In scary news for the West Indies, Labuschagne scores big runs in bunches. In 2019 he put up three centuries in a row to start the summer against Pakistan and New Zealand.
WICKET: KHAWAJA FINALLY FALLS
Usman Khawaja (65) will have to wait to reach 1000 Test runs for the calendar year after falling to a beauty in Perth.
Kyle Mayers, who bowled beautifully to Khawaja in the first session, was finally re-introduced to the attack, picking up the Aussie opener in his first over after the lunch break.
Fox Sports commentator Kerry O’Keeffe couldn’t believe Mayers hadn’t been bowled earlier.
“Thank goodness they took the spinner off ... I thought I’d never say that,” Skull said, “it’s (Mayer coming into the attack) an inspired change.”
Khawaja, who averages over 100 (three innings) against West Indies, continued his hot form against the tourists.
The wicket brings Steve Smith to the crease. Australia is 2-162 at the tea break with Marnus Labuschagne against proving the host’s anchor at home.
Usman Khawaja is at his best against Pakistan, where he averages 99.20 from 8 matches (13 innings) and the West Indies, where he averages 108.50, albeit from just 3 innings.#AUSvWI
— Cricket Live (@CricketLIVE____) November 30, 2022
STATE OF PLAY: AUSTRALIA 1-100
The early question on day one was could this Windies’ attack maintain its disciplin after such a strong start?
Short answer? No, no they haven’t.
Marnus Labuschagne, who reached his half century after lunch, and Usman Khawaja are starting to turn the screws, pushing the run rate past 4.0 after the break.
The pair weathered a Wests Indies maiden onslaught before lunch and that patience is paying dividends in the second session.
Not helping the tourists’ cause is the non-existant ‘green monster’. The deck flattened out early, offering very little sideways movement for the quicks.
“They’ve had their moments (the West Indies) without looking overly threatening,” commentator Mark Waugh said.
LANGER: ‘IT WAS AS I EXPECTED’
Justin Langer has given a further insight into his pre-match interactions with Australian players.
Langer was seen talking and shaking hands with the likes of Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Alex Carey and Marcus Harris before play started on day one from Perth.
Speaking on Channel 7, Langer said:
“It was as I expected, and I’ve said it all along, they are like my little brothers. There was a lot of media hype over the last week or so – perspective and reality – It was exactly how I expected it would be,” he said.
“That’s the truth. I mean I was with the guys for four years, I loved every minute of coaching Australia. We celebrated together, we came back from sandpaper-gate together, we came back through Covid together, we won the World Cup. We won The Ashes together.
“I’ve got great relationships with every one of these guys. There was lot of build up to it. It is exactly how I was expecting to be today.”
KNEE REACTION, JL FEELINGS: INSIDE OPTUS STADIUM
Paige Taylor – The Australian
The small crowd at Optus Stadium did not audibly react when Warner and Khawaja each got down on one knee before the first ball. There was gentle applause when they stood.
Before the match, cricket fans filed in via just two gates of the stadium that holds 60,000 but was at about 10 per cent capacity on Wednesday.
Philip Ryan, 72, sat alone reading Amir Towles’ The Art of Civility during pre match entertainment. Asked what he thought of players taking a knee he said: “I think it’s baloney they’re only doing it because others are doing it”.
There was a huge amount of love in the crowd for home town hero Justin Langer.
Mates James Keating and Liam Matthews said they turned up to support the Australian team even though they were still angry about how Langer’s departure was handled.
“There are five players I would have got rid of before him,” said Mr Keating.
Mr Matthews said he had a relaxed attitude about players taking a knee but he and his friends did not approve of Pat Cummins’ attitude to energy sponsors.
“He’s cost the team millions,” Mr Matthew’s said.
“This is a mining state. Lots of things here are only possible because of mining money including this stadium.”
STATE OF PLAY: AUSTRALIA 1-45
Honours are even here in Perth, with Australia’s run rate crawling along.
This is why removing David Warner early was so important.
Although they aren’t taking wickets, the West Indies are absolutely in the game – which is more than you can say for plenty of touring sides who get belted in the opening sessions on Aussie soil.
Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are both scoring at around 30 strike rates.
We are about half an hour away from lunch and this is going to be a key little session.
One more wicket and things will feel very different in the middle. But if Australia can reach lunch one down, they will feel good about their position.
WICKET: WARNER BOWLED BY SEALES FOR FIVE
It hasn’t taken long for the first piece of drama to hit Perth.
David Warner is on his way after being bowled by Jayden Seales for just five.
It was a full ball from Seales and Warner’s eyes lit up. He was thinking four runs.
However, all he could manage was a bottom edge which crashed into the stumps. That is the perfect start for the West Indies.
So many touring sides get smashed in the opening session of an Aussie summer and Warner is usually the man to do it.
Marnus Labuschagne will be the new man in.
AUSSIE OPENERS TAKE A KNEE
West Indian players and Australian openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja took a knee before the first ball, with the gesture greeted by applause from the small crowd in attendance.
AUSSIES TO BAT FIRST IN PERTH
Pat Cummins has won the toss and elected to back in his openers and bat first despite the presence of a healthy layer of grass on the Perth pitch.
Australia have a full strength team to launch the summer, with David Warner and Usman Khawaja to face the acid first up test against West Indies tearaways Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph.
The West Indies have gone all-rounder heavy with their line-up, including the selection of Kyle Mayers at No. 5 – the man who smashed an out-of-worldly six in the T20 match against Australia earlier this summer on the Gold Coast.
Cummins said he would back in his batters despite the prospect of the ball hooping around early at Optus Stadium.
Temperatures are expected to soar into the mid-30s in Perth, so Australia could gain a huge advantage in the match if they can bed down and keep the Windies out in the field all day.
AUSTRALIA: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon
WEST INDIES LIKELY: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales
CUMMINS, LANGER COME TOGETHER IN PERTH
Pat Cummins has shared an embrace with Justin Langer before the first Test.
It took a while for the captain and the former coach to come together as Langer fulfilled his on-air duties and the Australian fast bowlers their warm-up.
However, there was a moment when Cummins made a point of coming over to Langer and they shared a warm embrace and a short, but engaging conversation.
There was some gesturing, and then some laughs from Cummins as the pair came together for the first time in person since the release of Langer’s explosive podcast last week.
Cummins was strong on his pre-match comments, thanking Langer for clarifying his “cowards” comments, but making it clear it was an explanation that was needed.
“There are no cowards in the Australian cricket team,” said Cummins in perhaps his strongest public statement since taking over as captain.
Cummins said on match eve he was looking forward to seeing Langer on match morning.
Langer also shared a warm exchange with Mitchell Starc, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne before making his way away from where the players’ were warming up.
Seven presenter James Brayshaw asked Langer about the storm that’s erupted this week and his morning greeting Australian players.
“Perception and reality. Perception often sells newspapers. Reality, these are like my little brothers,” Langer said on Channel 7’s pre-match.
“I love Australian cricket. I love being back and seeing the boys. I haven’t seen them for nine months.”
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN LANGER FACED AUSSIE STARS?
Steve Smith has greeted Justin Langer with an embrace as Australian players interact with their former coach before the first Test in Perth.
Langer was kicking a Sherrin footy with Australian stars Alex Carey and Marcus Harris when Smith came over to greet the former coach who has made headlines all week.
Smith and Langer shared a brief embrace before engaging in an extended chat where Smith appeared to explain to the coach about the freak hip injury scare he suffered earlier in the week.
It seemed a relaxed vibe out in the middle as young WA star Cameron Green, selector Tony Dodemaide and other Australian staff members came past to greet Langer.
Langer then made his way over to the middle where he greeted Nathan Lyon and then Australia’s now coach Andrew McDonald.
After a handshake, McDonald and Langer – who used to work together as a team – shared a brief chat before McDonald continued on with the team’s preparations.
Langer also shared an embrace with opener David Warner. The pair shook hands, shared a cuddle and then a lengthy chat at one end of the wicket.
Australian and West Indies players gathered to perform a Barefoot Circle in tribute to local Aboriginal people.
Players from both teams intermingled around the Walkabout Wickets banner laid out on the outfield, with an Aboriginal elder addressing players as they sat down together.
FOX CRICKET PRESENTER OUT WITH COVID
Star Fox Cricket presenter Isa Guha has come down with Covid and will miss the first Test match.
Guha is in Perth but won’t be able to attend the ground, and will be back on deck for the second Test in Adelaide.
KHAWAJA’S WARNING TO AUSTRALIA OVER BUMPY RIDE AHEAD
Usman Khawaja has urged Australia to squeeze the most out of their all-star Test team while they can … and then be prepared to cop a bumpy ride.
After starting his Test career following in the wake of the Shane Warne golden generation, and now one of Australia’s 36-year-old openers, Khawaja says experience has taught him you can’t finesse your way through a transition.
You just go hard, then you go home.
With he and David Warner entering their twilight at the top of the innings, Steve Smith not far behind and bowlers Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood all well into their 30s, Khawaja admits Australian cricket will inevitably face the jolt of an era ending in the coming years.
But Khawaja insists it’s pointless to try and choreograph retirements, and called on selectors to just let the process unfold naturally and in the meantime, try and capture lightning in a bottle.
“There’s definitely going to be a transition period, and I think you just have to accept that as an Australian international team,” said Khawaja.
“We’re probably always deemed to repeat the mistakes of our past, but I’ve been involved in Australian cricket so long I was involved in that initial transition. A lot of people have forgotten. I was involved with that.
“We couldn’t find a spinner. We went through four or five spinners. We thought our batting stocks had depleted. We couldn’t find batsmen apparently in Australia.
“People just need to realise we came off such a beautiful time in Australian cricket and these guys were experienced and had played for a long time.
“The thing is when guys get to that age you want to actually want to get as much out of them as you can because no matter what the transitional period, in my opinion (tough times) are going to happen.
“We have such high expectations for Australian cricket. But we saw what happened 10-15 years ago.
“We’re in a place now where we’ve played some really good cricket over the course of the last five, six or seven years in Test matches in particular, being the No. 1 team in the world too.
“The transition is just an inevitable part of the game that we just have to accept.”
Australian coach Andrew McDonald said in Sri Lanka earlier this year that he would like to avoid Khawaja and Warner bowing out of the game at the same point, as a means of easing in a rookie opener when the time comes.
“Will we have to be careful in terms of when they do go … 100 per cent,” said McDonald.
Captain Pat Cummins said on Tuesday that he agreed with Khawaja that transition was inevitable, but he’s confident the current core of the world’s No. 1 Test team will make it all the way through this summer and next year’s India and Ashes tours before retirements begin.
“It’s going to be inevitable at some point. In the next six or seven months we have got 15 Test matches, hopefully there won’t be any turn over before that but of course it is coming,” said Cummins.
“ … To be honest it is the most stable team I have played in ever. You could probably have picked the side 12 months ago, I feel like we are in a good spot.”
Star under watch after scary collision
Australian players may want to re-think their warm-up games after a massive collision between two star teammates in Mackay sent shudders through the camp.
Records tumble as Travis Head explodes
Travis Head smashed 154 not out against England to extend Australia’s ODI winning streak to 13 - the second longest in cricket history.