Australia v New Zealand: Marnus Labuschagne double ton gives hosts day two honours
After another mighty Marnus Labuschagne century anchored Australia's powerful first innings to leave New Zealand on the canvas - before the tourists fought back hard to stay in the contest late on day two. FULL REPORT INSIDE.
Marnus Labuschagne has drawn rich praise from the Bradman-era legend he left behind after reshaping Australian cricket history at the SCG.
Labuschagne on Saturday eclipsed Test great Neil Harvey’s all-time record for most runs ever by an Australian in a five-Test summer, with an extraordinary tally of 837 from just seven innings.
In an era of snatch and grab cricket, Harvey, has lauded Labuschagne’s iron-willed powers of concentration as the Queenslander turned a Sydney ton into his first career double-century.
“His dedication and his concentration. They’re big things,” Harvey told The Sunday Telegraph.
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“You don’t see that from many batsmen these days.
“He could be (a long-term star). He’s only 25. He’s got it all in front of him.
“He came into the team as a makeshift batsman at Lord’s. He’s done nothing wrong, has he?”
Harvey scored 834 runs in the 1952-53 season and is one of the greatest batsmen the country has produced. He was at the SCG on day one to watch Labuschagne’s first 100 runs. Labuschagne said it was an honour to be mentioned in the same breath.
“Obviously that’s very special going past a player of that caliber,” said Labuschagne.
“I haven’t really had a chance to stop and reflect on the summer that I have had. But looking at it, it has been a very special summer.”
Harvey, 91, one of the icons of the game, worries about the current standard of Test cricket if New Zealand are the No.2 team in the world.
The Blackcaps toiled hard on day two to bowl Australia out for 454, particularly when they lost another player – Jeet Raval – to illness – and fast bowler Matt Henry had to bowl with a broken thumb.
New captain Tom Latham (26 not out) and rookie Tom Blundell (34 no) then boxed it out to be 0-63 at stumps, however, the third Test still appears likely to end in Australia completing an emphatic clean sweep, even if proceedings might go into the first fifth day of the summer.
On another formulaic day, there was one spot fire of controversy in the shadows before stumps when Australia went upstairs convinced they’d heard Blundell edge behind off Pat Cummins, even though umpire Aleem Dar had said no.
Real time snicko showed there was no noise until after the ball had passed the bat, but a closer look at hot-spot revealed the faintest mark which seemingly went undetected by third umpire Nigel Llong who quickly dismissed Australia’s referral.
Ricky Ponting said on Channel 7 that Llong had rushed his decision and indicated he felt it was out, however, the flashpoint was far more inconclusive than any of the controversies that raged last week at the MCG.
Matthew Wade also seemed to escape a late scare unharmed when Latham drilled a sweep shot straight into the Tasmanian’s helmet at short leg.
Earlier, Australia’s middle-order stars Matthew Wade and Travis Head butchered golden opportunities to finish the summer with a bang, but Labuschagne continued to hoover up the runs his teammates leave on the table – surging to a memorable 215 in front of proud parents, Alte and Andre.
Labuschagne looked fluent on a slowish wicket, which most other batsmen had struggled with.
He got stuck momentarily on 199, but when he edged one away to bring up his biggest milestone yet, Labuschagne leapt back to life and into the jubilant arms of his captain, Tim Paine.
Harvey scored 834 runs in the 1952-53 season and is one of the greatest batsmen the country has produced. He was at the SCG on day one to watch Labuschagne’s first 100 runs.
Only Harvey and Bradman had made more scores of 150 and above than Labuschagne (three) has now in 22 Test innings.
As it stands, Labuschagne (63) now has a greater Test average than mentor Steve Smith (62).
Ricky Ponting has joined former England skipper Michael Vaughan in declaring Labuschagne strikes him as a future Test captain.
“Travis Head is vice-captain now, Marnus Labuschagne is another one that will come into the conversation in 12-18 months’ time once he’s properly established himself in the team,” Paine told cricket.com.au
“He seems like the right sort of guy to maybe be a captain down the track at some point.”
Originally published as Australia v New Zealand: Marnus Labuschagne double ton gives hosts day two honours
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