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Australia v New Zealand: Marnus Labuschagne scores third straight Test ton

Marnus Labuschagne belted a six to reach his third straight Test ton, while a late strike lifted the Kiwis | WATCH

Andrew Faulkner and Tom Crystal
Marnus Labuschagne celebrates his century. Picture: Getty Images
Marnus Labuschagne celebrates his century. Picture: Getty Images
17 min read
11:33PMDecember 12, 2019.
Updated 11:59PMDecember 12, 2019

Welcome to coverage of the First Test between Australia and New Zealand from Perth. Australia reached 4-248 at stumps after winning the toss.

Andrew Faulkner 11.20am: Stumps wrap

New Zealand have surged again with the new ball to ambush Australia in the closing overs of Perth’s first day/night Test.

When stumps were drawn to end an engrossing day’s play, the hosts were 4-248, with Marnus Labuschagne 109 (201 balls, 14 fours and a six) and Travis Head 20 (34 balls, four fours).

New Zealand’s grit and courage – their fightback came when they were a bowler down and after chasing everything at full pace on a 40C day – was as big a story as Labuschagne’s 100. Maybe bigger.

Marnus Labuschagne leaves the field at stumps on day one. Picture: AAP
Marnus Labuschagne leaves the field at stumps on day one. Picture: AAP

Tim Southee made the second new ball talk to regularly beat the bat and threaten to strike with every ball.

Wade (12 from 26 balls) was bowled shouldering arms at a Southee ball that scythed back from way outside off stump.

Southee was also getting movement off the seam and throwing in a dangerous off-cutter for good measure.

Matthew Wade after being bowled by Tim Southee. Picture: AAP
Matthew Wade after being bowled by Tim Southee. Picture: AAP

But with Lockie Ferguson off the field and Wagner having just finished a long spell, de Grandomme had to take the new ball with Southee.

As well as de Grandhomme (1-24 from 16) bowled today, he’s not fast enough to make full use of the new, swinging pink ball.

Wagner eventually replaced him and abandoned his bang-it-in method to float it up in search of swing.

One wonders how the Australians would have handled Trent Boult in this situation.

Match blog below — how day one unfolded:

11.17pm: Stumps

Marnus Labuschagne (110) and Travis Head (20) survive a tricky spell to guide Australia to 4-248 at stumps. Neil Wagner was the best performer for New Zealand with 2-52 off 22 overs.

11pm: Final fling

The Kiwis are a bowler down, with debutant Lockie Ferguson off the field due to a calf strain, but Tim Southee is looking dangerous with the second new ball. Neil Wagner replaces Colin de Grandhomme at the other end with stumps looming.

Sunset in Perth. Picture: AAP
Sunset in Perth. Picture: AAP

10.44pm: WICKET!

Matthew Wade gets a jaffa from Tim Southee from around the wicket that swings a long way in and clips off stump. An ill-advised leave by the left-hander. Game on.

10.30pm: New ball taken

New Zealand have taken the second new rock, setting up an interesting spell before stumps with a fresh, swinging six-stitcher. This is traditionally when the pink ball is at its most dangerous.

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Andrew Faulkner 10.17pm: WICKET!

Steve Smith has fallen for the Kiwis’ leg trap – and not for the first time.

He’s pulled Wagner to backward square leg to be out in exactly the same manner as the last time these sides met.

The only difference was last time the venue was Christchurch and the catcher was Martin Guptill, not Tim Southee.

Oh, and last time Smith was 138, not 43 (163 balls, four fours).

Wagner’s been bowling Bodyline-lite at the Australians and it’s worked.

At the last drinks break the Australians are 3-209, with Labuschagne 104 and Matthew Wade one.

Andrew Faulkner 10.05pm: Ton with style points

Marnus Labuschagne brought up his 100 — his third Test ton in a row — with a towering six over long-on.

He audaciously dropped Santner down the ground to add yet more lustre to his already gilded career.

It took him 16 innings to make his first hundred. One has brought not two, but three, Test tons in as many innings.

His maiden century, 185 in Brisbane, was followed by 162 in Adelaide and now 102 not out here. Three in three innings. Oh, and when he pulled Wagner to the square leg boundary, he posted his 1000th Test run.

His first 50 or so runs were characterised by drives. He’s been more expansive in the second 50 – pulls, on-side flicks and even a late cut boundary have keep the scoreboard rattling along.

He was beaten several times earlier in the day, but has looked imperious under lights.

The score is 2-206, with Smith on 43 (162 balls).

Labuschagne soaks up the applause after reaching another ton. Picture: Getty Images
Labuschagne soaks up the applause after reaching another ton. Picture: Getty Images

9.59pm: CENTURY TO LABUSCHAGNE!

No sign of the nervous 90s for Marnus Labuschagne, who dances down the track to Mitchell Santner and belts him over long on for six, moving from 95 to 101 in the process. Three centuries in a row for Labuschagne.

Andrew Faulkner 9.42pm: Kiwi injury blow

New Zealand are a bowler down — and might remain that way for the entire Test — as Lockie Ferguson has left the field with a calf problem.

Ferguson’s left the field and the ground, as the paceman’s been whisked away for scans.

“Lockie Ferguson is off the field with a suspected right calf strain sustained while bowling in the second session,” the Black Caps camp says.

“He is about to go for an MRI scan and will be reassessed in the morning.”

Paceman Lockie Ferguson has picked up an injury in his Test debut. Picture: AAP
Paceman Lockie Ferguson has picked up an injury in his Test debut. Picture: AAP

9.25pm: Century stand

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith reach a partnership of 100, of which Smith has 41 and Labuschagne 58. The home team move to 2-178 after 65 overs.

Andrew Faulkner 9.15pm: Pitch battle

The Labuschagne/Smith partnership is approaching 100 but its worth cannot be judged on runs alone.

So sapping is this heat that the Kiwi bowlers are weakening by the over.

Not that they’ve dropped their effort – they haven’t -- but backing up on a 41C day tomorrow will be tough.

Even if they can restrict Australia to about 350, taking 10 wickets with an exhausted attack in the second dig will be tougher.

Early in the final session the hosts are 2-164, with Labuschagne 70 (130 balls) and Smith 33 (115).

This partnership is grinding the Black Caps into the ground.

De Grandhomme and Santner are bowling in tandem as Williamson tries to spare his frontline quicks.

Steve Smith makes his ground as Neil Wagner fumbles. Picture: AP
Steve Smith makes his ground as Neil Wagner fumbles. Picture: AP

9.05pm: Final session begins

Bustling paceman Colin de Grandhomme and spinner Mitchell Santner continue as New Zealand look to bounce back after a wicketless session. De Grandhomme has been able to produce some swing, while Santner will be needed to tie up one end. It’s still 35C in Perth just after 6pm local time.

8.50pm: Tea update

Marnus Labuschagne has 68, Steve Smith 31 as Australia end the second session on 2-160. Labuschagne has now passed 50 for the seventh time in his past 10 Test innings. He has 768 runs in his past 10 innings at an average or more than 84. Smith has faced 100 balls in a patient, scrappy innings. Colin de Grandhomme is the best of the New Zealand bowlers with 1-18 off 10 overs.

Andrew Faulkner 8.35pm: A hot rocket

The Smith slash, a at a short ball outside off, rocketed to Tom Latham at second slip. It was a hot chance. Picking up a ball flying at 140km/h is hard enough; but try doing it at twilight with a pink ball.

Latham got both hands to it, more as a reflex action than a realistic attempt at a catch. Approaching the break, Australia are 2-148, with Labuschagne 65 and Smith 22.

8.26pm: Dropped!

Steve Smith gets a life, dropped at second slip by Tom Latham off the bowling of Lockie Ferguson. It denies the bowler a huge wicket on debut, and offers the dangerous batsman a life on 19. It went sharply but the catch should have been taken.

Andrew Faulkner 8.15pm: 50 to Labuschagne!

The shackles are starting to loosen as Smith finds his feet and timing.

Smith has danced down to Santner to drive him through mid-on for a sweetly timed boundary.

And the irresistible force that is Labuschagne has yet another 50 as the pair builds a partnership of substance.

That their 50 stand has taken 139 deliveries shows how tough the Kiwis are making batting out there.

In the 50th over, it’s 2-129, with Labuschagne 51 (102, eight fours) and Smith 17 (78 balls, two fours).

Ferguson is back to have another crack and Southee is keeping it tight from the Members End.

8pm: Marnus, Smith warm to the task

The temperature has dropped, slightly, to 37.5C but the bowlers have maintained their pace, according to Fox Cricket data. Lockie Ferguson is back into the attack, looking to unsettle the batsmen as they pick off the odd boundary. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner doesn’t really look like getting a wicket, so Tim Southee gets a turn.

Marnus Labuschagne cools down during the second session. Picture: AAP
Marnus Labuschagne cools down during the second session. Picture: AAP

Andrew Faulkner 7.38pm: War of attrition

The impressive Kiwis are showing no sign of wilting in the 40C heat. They’re making Smith and Labuschagne scrap for every run.

A lesser side would’ve started to show some signs of fraying in the oppressive conditions, but not the Black Caps.

Almost an hour into the second session the Australians are 2-101, with Labuschagne 33 (76 balls) and Smith 11 (55 balls).

Wagner (1-30 from 13) and de Grandhomme (1-10 from eight) have bowled superbly since the break.

And it’s not as if Williamson has gone ultra-defensive; he still has two slips, a gully and a leg slip for Wagner bowling to Smith.

It’s engrossing cricket as the Australians edge the score past 100.

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7.25pm: Tight lines

A fascinating contest is developing here. Colin de Grandhomme and Neil Wagner have dried up the runs and the odd delivery is swinging back into the right-handers. Wagner is also pushing the ball across the batsmen, looking to tease an outside edge. Smith has seven off 49 balls.

Neil Wagner reacts after a close call with Stebe Smith. Picture: Getty Images
Neil Wagner reacts after a close call with Stebe Smith. Picture: Getty Images

Andrew Faulkner 7.05pm: Kiwis bank on Smith slip-up

The Kiwis have posted a leg slip to try to get Steve Smith before he’s set. The master batsman has fallen there in the past so it’s worth a try.

Smith has started sedately, edging to four from 26 balls.

The Black Caps are ramping up the pressure with tight bowling and brilliant fielding.

Labuschagne is 26 from 57 balls, and the score’s 2-91 early in the second session.

Labuschagne has looked flighty at times outside off stump, playing and missing away from his body.

But his luck’s held so far and the play-and-misses have been more than balanced by some expansive drives through the covers.

Steve Smith on day one of the first Test. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith on day one of the first Test. Picture: Getty Images

6.42pm: Second session begins

Debutant Lockie Ferguson continues as New Zealand begin their chase for more wickets.

Marnus Labuschagne has 18, Steve Smith one. It’s still pushing 40C, so skipper Kane Williamson will need to rotate his bowlers in order to keep them upright.

David Warner leaves the field after his stunning exit. Picture: Getty Images
David Warner leaves the field after his stunning exit. Picture: Getty Images

Andrew Faulkner 6.05pm: Lunch break

Neil Wagner has taken a classic caught and bowled to get Warner (43 from 74 balls, four fours) seven minutes before tea.

Warner thumped Wagner’s low full toss even lower back to the bowler, who dived to clutch it centimetres from the turf.

The bowler barely believed he’d done it, so looked to the umpire for confirmation. But it was a clear catch.

The slow pitch played no role in the dismissal – the ball went from the bowler’s left-hand to his right hand via Warner’s bat.

Tight bowling and defensive fields have slowed the Australians, who’ve gone to tea on 2-76.

Labuschagne is 15 and Smith is yet to score. The Black Caps have shown typical Kiwi grit in the tough conditions.

Neil Wagner holds the ball aloft after his brilliant catch. Picture: Getty Images
Neil Wagner holds the ball aloft after his brilliant catch. Picture: Getty Images

5.53pm: WICKET!

Neil Wagner takes a screamer off his own bowling to remove David Warner for 43. The batsman gets a low full toss from the left-arm bowler and drives it uppishly, but low, to the bowler’s right. Wagner manages to reach down on his follow through and take a brilliant catch. Warner can’t believe it. A vital wicket just before the first break.

Andrew Faulkner 5.40pm: Kiwis stem run flow

Warner is into the 40s but the Black Caps have checked the Australians.

With 20 minutes left in the first session the hosts are 1-66 with Warner 40 (63 balls, four fours) and Labuschagne (nine from 28, one four).

They’d be quite a few more if not for an excellent spell by de Grandhomme (1-4 from five overs).

De Grandhomme is having a rest after a fine spell of brisk medium pace on an unhelpful surface.

Spinner Mitchell Santner has started poorly from the other end, spraying balls down the leg side from his very first ball, one that went for two byes.

Recognising the wicket is chock full of runs, Williamson is getting defensive with his fields, dispatching a deep-point from the outset for Santner.

New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling looks on as David Warner gets an edge safely away for runs. Picture: AAP
New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling looks on as David Warner gets an edge safely away for runs. Picture: AAP

Andrew Faulkner 5.06pm: Out, but not out

Joe Burns has fallen lbw to a ball that would’ve missed his leg stump.

Burns was dismissed by Colin de Grandhomme for nine (42 balls), to leave the hosts 1-40 at drinks.

The opener tried to flick a well-pitched ball through square leg but was defeated by slight movement in the air and back in off the pitch.

He considered reviewing – and consulted David Warner — but they chose not to. Replays later showed the ball missing leg stump.

Labuschagne has joined Warner (30 from 38 balls) at the crease.

Colin de Grandhomme, centre, is congratulated by team-mates after dismissing Joe Burns. Picture: AAP
Colin de Grandhomme, centre, is congratulated by team-mates after dismissing Joe Burns. Picture: AAP
Ball tracking shows Joe Burns should have reviewed his lbw decision on day one in Pert. Picture: Fox Sports
Ball tracking shows Joe Burns should have reviewed his lbw decision on day one in Pert. Picture: Fox Sports

4.58pm: WICKET!

A much-needed breakthrough for the Kiwis, as Colin de Grandhomme traps Joe Burns lbw for nine. Australia lose their first wicket with 40 runs on the board.

Andrew Faulkner 4.50pm: Aussies settle in

The Australians are looking ominous after a fruitless 10 overs from the Black Caps pacemen.

After 45 minutes’ play, Australia are 0-37, with David Warner 24 and Joe Burns eight. The pitch looks flat and almost slow, but it might quicken once it dries.

That might be too late for the tourists, because the pink ball is usually only dangerous when it’s new.

So this appears to have been a very bad toss to lose.

Neil Wagner’s into the attack from the Justin Langer Stand End, replacing Lockie Ferguson.

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4.40pm: ‘Warning signs’

Fox Cricket commentator Kerry O’Keeffe says New Zealand need to strike in a hurry. “The first 20 overs can decide things on this pitch,” the former Test spinner says. “After that the ball starts to get soft. If Australia were to be 0-80 after 20-odd overs, then they are very much bossing this Test.”

Andrew Faulkner 4.25pm: Pretty in pink

Lockie Ferguson has wasted no time in cranking it up to full pace. And it’s extreme pace; every ball in his first over was above 142km/h.

The pink ball’s flying through at over head height to keeper BJ Watling.

One Ferguson ball – a half- or more accurately quarter-tracker – flew over everyone for five wides.

But while the ball is flying through the air, it appears to be slowing considerable after it pitches. Perhaps the pitch is still damp.

The Australian openers have weathered the early overs to be 0-17 after 20 minutes’ play.

Warner dropped the first ball of the series at his feet and called Burns though for a tight, but superbly judged, single.

In Tim Southee’s second over Warner punched an all-run four through the covers to indicate he’s lost none of his Adelaide touch.

4.15pm: Ferguson flying

Kiwi tearaway Lockie Ferguson has been given the new ball on his Test debut. The 28-year-old immediately gets over 140km/h. Exciting stuff — he could be a handful on this pacy, bouncy deck.

Lockie Ferguson unleashes on debut. Picture: Getty Images
Lockie Ferguson unleashes on debut. Picture: Getty Images

4pm: We’re underway

Right-arm paceman Tim Southee will start off, delivering to David Warner on a hot afternoon in Perth. Southee is New Zealand’s second-best wicket taker, with 258 scalps.

Andrew Faulkner 3.40pm: Teams finalised

Tim Paine has won the toss and has elected to bat first in the first Test at Perth Stadium.

Paine is a latter-day convert to the Ian Chappell school of, when you win the toss, bat nine times out of 10. On the 10th occasion you think about bowling and bat anyway.

“If anything this pitch looks better than day one last year,” Paine said at the toss.

It might look good, but the pitch is likely to have something in it for the quicks early as it’ll need moisture to last through five days of extreme heat.

But Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson said he would’ve batted first as well.

As expected, Ferguson is in for the injured Boult.

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitch Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Lockie Ferguson.

Australia: Joe Burns, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

The New Zealand team huddle up before play. Picture: AP
The New Zealand team huddle up before play. Picture: AP

3.30pm: Australia win the toss

Tim Paine decides to bat first after Kane Williamson calls incorrectly. “The wicket looks pretty good and it’s hot,” Paine says. “And when I won the toss at Lord’s (in England), I said I wouldn’t do it again.”

3pm: Warm-ups underway

Andrew Faulkner 2.30pm: Boult out as heat hits Perth

It’s fine and hot 90 minutes before the pink ball is bowled for the first time in a Perth Test.

It’s so hot, Steve Smith’s throwdowns net is looking lonely as the players are yet to appear for the warm-ups.

Conserving energy might be the difference between these two evenly-matched sides in the Perth swelter.

After today’s 40, we’re in for 41 tomorrow, then 40, 40 and finally a frigid 32 on Monday, assuming the players haven’t melted by then.

Being a day-night Test, there’ll be some relief in the last session, but not much, as the breeze will drop this evening and the temperature is forecast to only fall to 25C.

Trent Boult (side strain) has reportedly been ruled out this morning, so we’ll find out at the toss if Matt Henry or uncapped paceman Lockie Ferguson comes into the New Zealand XI.

The Australians will be unchanged.

2pm: Best Test series between Australia and NZ

1973-74 in New Zealand (1-1)

Former New Zealand test cricketer Glenn Turner. Picture: File
Former New Zealand test cricketer Glenn Turner. Picture: File

New Zealand snatched their first Test win over Australia to draw the series off the back of Glenn Turner’s runs and Richard Collinge’s 17 wickets. After a drawn first Test where bat dominated ball in Wellington, Turner hit an unbeaten 110 to help New Zealand chase down 230 to claim a historic five-wicket win in the second Test. Australia fought back to win the third convincingly, leaving the series level at 1-1.

-

1985-86 in Australia (New Zealand 2-1)
Again the scene of a New Zealand triumph and their only series win in Australia. Richard Hadlee was at his best taking 9-52 and 6-71 in the first Test in Brisbane to help the Black Caps to a monstrous innings-and-41-run victory. Australia chased down 260 with four wickets in hand to win in Adelaide, but Hadlee again starred with 11 wickets in Perth to claim the series.

The great Richard Hadlee is congratulated by his New Zealand teammates after taking 9-52 against Australia at the Gabba in 1985. Picture: Simon Rennilson
The great Richard Hadlee is congratulated by his New Zealand teammates after taking 9-52 against Australia at the Gabba in 1985. Picture: Simon Rennilson

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1993-94 in Australia (2-1 Australia)
Shane Warne’s domination of New Zealand began with 18 wickets at 16.94, while Steve Waugh also averaged 216 for the series. The first match was drawn in Perth but the Aussies did a job on the Black Caps in Adelaide and Brisbane.

Australian spinners Tim May (left) and Shane Warne celebrate Australia’s Second Test victory over New Zealand in Hobart in 1993. Picture: Getty Images
Australian spinners Tim May (left) and Shane Warne celebrate Australia’s Second Test victory over New Zealand in Hobart in 1993. Picture: Getty Images

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2001-02 in Australia (0-0)

The 0-0 scoreline didn’t do justice to how good the three-Test series actually was. New Zealand needed 15 runs and Australia required four wickets off the last over in Brisbane to claim a win in a rain-affected Test, after Steve Waugh set the Black Caps 284 for victory. Rain ruined the second Test in Hobart, while Australia were 7-381 chasing 440 at stumps on the final day in Perth after New Zealand twice declared their innings nine down.

Australian captain Steve Waugh chats with paceman Brett Lee during the First Test against New Zealand at the Gabba in 2001. Picture: David Kapernick
Australian captain Steve Waugh chats with paceman Brett Lee during the First Test against New Zealand at the Gabba in 2001. Picture: David Kapernick

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2011-12 in Australia (1-1)
Australia’s dominance looked set to continue when a Michael Clarke century set up a nine-wicket win at the Gabba. In the second Test the hosts rolled New Zealand for 150 in the first innings in Hobart but from there it was all the visitors and mostly Doug Bracewell. The Kiwi quick took 3-20 in the first innings and then 6-40 in the second. It helped have the Aussies all out for 233 chasing 241, as David Warner’s maiden Test century proved in vain. It was New Zealand’s first Test win over Australia in 18 years.

Michael Clarke pulls on his way to a century against New Zealand in 2011. Picture: Jono Searle Day
Michael Clarke pulls on his way to a century against New Zealand in 2011. Picture: Jono Searle Day

1.15pm: Williamson the key wicket for Aussies

Australia have put a bounty on the wicket of Kane Williamson, believing the New Zealand skipper is the major obstacle standing between them and Test victory.

Williamson is a superstar of world cricket who boasts a Test average of 52.68 to go with 21 centuries.

Australia are well and truly aware they can’t put all their focus into just one player, with the likes of Tom Latham, Ross Taylor and BJ Watling among the other batsmen that command respect. But it is the scalp of Williamson that Australia will prize the most, and skipper Tim Paine is making no secret of the value his team places on it.

Aussies ready for Black Caps in Perth

Teams generally put a high value on dismissing the rival skipper. But that value is magnified when it comes to Williamson given his batting prowess.

“I mean regardless of whether he’s captain, I think Kane’s a huge key to NZ’s team, there’s no doubt about that,” Paine said.

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“If we can keep him quiet, it’s going to go a long way to helping us win Test matches and win the series.

“But it’s a lot easier said than done, particularly with the way he’s been playing the last few years.”

Williamson wasn’t fazed to know that he will be headhunted, saying he will simply go out and try to execute his plans as he always does.

AAP

1pm: Will Kiwis pick four quicks?

New Zealand great Ian Smith has urged the Black Caps to unleash Lockie Ferguson on Australia as part of a possible four-pronged pace attack.

The Black Caps won’t confirm their team for Perth’s series opener until today’s toss, with Trent Boult battling to beat a side strain. Ferguson’s possible Test debut is likely to rely upon Boult’s fitness, with the left-armer having another workout in the Perth Stadium nets on Wednesday night. One of New Zealand’s strengths is the stability of their bowling attack. They have two of the best exponents of swing bowling in the world in Boult and Tim Southee, while Neil Wagner is a dangerous quick and Mitchell Santner a developing finger spinner.

But former wicketkeeper Smith said Ferguson and his 150km/h thunderbolts should feature regardless in Perth, even if it meant coming at the expense of Santner

“They’ve got to wake up, pull the curtains open and find out where they are and that’s Australia and that is conducive to bowling fast,” Smith, a Fox Cricket commentator, said.

“They’ve all seen him do very well in the World Cup but you can’t coach 145-150km/h.

“It’s very accurate it’s very often hard to play and commands respect. I might even think about playing four (fast bowlers).

“Just going at Australia and saying ‘you against us, us against you, fight fire with fire’.”

Colin de Grandhomme’s fitness is also key, having beaten an abdominal tear and meaning he can be a fifth bowling option in the heat.

Ferguson was a star of the World Cup with 21 wickets at 19.47, while he also averages 24.30 at first-class level.

The Black Caps opted for Matt Henry over him to replace Boult in New Zealand last week, but the calls are growing louder for Ferguson’s inclusion. The 27-year-old also has the support of one of New Zealand’s finest ever quicks, with Bond wanting him to feature in the series after having worked with him previously.

12.45pm: Labuschagne not budging from no.3

Good luck trying to bump Marnus Labuschagne from No.3 in the Australian Test batting order.

Labuschagne has been a shining light since coming into the Test team as a concussion sub for Steve Smith during the Ashes.

The 25-year-old has plundered runs for fun since then, and his hot series against Pakistan means he now has an iron grip on the No.3 spot. But even up until very recently it wasn’t the case.

“There was a conversation at one stage about maybe moving him down the order, sort of starting him at five, but he didn’t want a bar of it,” Australia captain Tim Paine said.

“He wanted to go out at three. He wants to be a star Test match international cricketer.

“He sees himself as a No.3. He wants that challenge. He’d be hard to move out of there now, that’s for sure.

“We’re rapt with the way he’s started in that position and looking forward to watching him continue to get better.”

Labuschagne averages 53.52 in Test cricket. That average rises to 75 when batting at No.3.

Labuschagne plundered scores of 185 and 162 in his two knocks during the 2-0 series win over Pakistan.

AAP

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