Ian Chappell: Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner giving our top order a dominant look
Australian cricket has been searching for a genuine No. 3 since Ricky Ponting, and as Ian Chappell writes, Marnus Labuschagne is giving every indication he can be that man.
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When opportunity knocks, some people politely open the door while others don’t even hear the tapping.
Not Marnus Labuschagne. He rips the door off its hinges, embraces opportunity and says: “Do come in, I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
What Labuschagne has achieved since Steve Smith received a terrible blow from a devilish Jofra Archer delivery at Lord’s in August has been nothing short of amazing.
It was following that blow to Smith’s head that Labuschagne became the first concussion substitute in Test cricket. Labuschagne then proceeded to adopt Smith’s mantra and become a run-scoring machine. In the process, he has solved Australia’s problem at the crucial number three spot in the batting order.
One man’s poison is another man’s elixir.
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In England, Labuschagne first made sure of his place in the team with a string of four successive half-centuries without reaching the coveted three-figures mark. That achieved his first aim and in doing so he’s claimed the No.3 spot he volunteered for at the SCG nine months before, when he was chosen for just his third Test.
That offer should’ve alerted the cricket world that here was a player with ambition and the self-belief to carry it off. His form in England then made everyone sit up and take notice and what he’s done in Australia has cricket fans nodding their head wisely and saying: “This lad has got something special.”
Labuschagne’s first Test century at the Gabba — his home ground — provided another insight. Here was a player hungry for runs as he went within a whisker of converting his first hundred into a double. During that pivotal innings he displayed a technique that was markedly improved from the player who debuted against Pakistan in Dubai, and he also established a kinship with opener David Warner.
In Adelaide, the pair turned that partnership into a relationship as they shredded a Pakistan team that were gradually reduced to the rabble category.
Labuschagne’s consistency since that opportunity arose at Lord’s has been exemplary. However, it’s another of his attributes that would have the selectors finally breathing easy after a few years of anguishing over the No.3 spot.
The runs made in difficult conditions in England were encouraging. The increased output in Australia is exciting but it’s his play against spin bowling that provides encouragement that he’ll be able to excel on the subcontinent. A No.3 who can hold his place in any conditions is what Australia has been seeking since the retirement of the much-vaunted Ricky Ponting.
Ponting was the perfect player for that pivotal spot: a batsman who could overcome an early loss and quickly take charge of the innings. That’s exactly what Labuschagne did at the Adelaide Oval.
Those are huge shoes to fill but the early signs are that Labuschagne is taking large strides in the right direction.
With the rejuvenated Warner, the pair ran Pakistan ragged and as the tourists’ standards quickly slipped, they took a toll of some wayward bowling and senseless tactics.
In addition to impressing with his footwork against spin bowling, Labuschagne also produced a few beautifully timed onside shots that were reminiscent of the elegant Mark Waugh.
While the Australian top-order pair will face a far greater challenge against a potentially strong New Zealand attack, they’ll do so with confidence brimming over.
With Warner’s revival and the arrival of Labuschagne as a genuine No.3, it gives the Australian top order a dominant look that just a few months ago in England seemed nothing more than a pipe dream.
If Labuschagne’s improvement even from England has been marked, the dramatic change in Warner’s fortunes is a day and night contrast. His hunger for runs is a direct result of a disastrous tour of England and he’s made Pakistan pay dearly for that lean spell.
Meanwhile Smith, with the Australian top order firing, is in the unaccustomed position of coming to the crease with the team well and truly on top. This is a far cry from England, where he constantly had to do the bulk of the scoring as Australia slipped into early trouble.
Smith’s misfortune was responsible for Labuschagne getting another opportunity in the Test side. He’s also taken the adopted Queenslander under his wing but may now be regretting not batting at three himself as Labuschagne has sentenced Smith to long periods waiting in the pavilion with the pads on.
Originally published as Ian Chappell: Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner giving our top order a dominant look