Marnus Labuschagne- Biography, Wiki, Age, Achievement- “The Journey From Concession Substitute To Astonishing No.3”

MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE

“In the Ashes-2019 Jofra Archer was fierce in bowling constantly at a pace of 144-150kmph. Rattling the batsman completely. But in all this, there was the emergence of a new Don Bradman – ‘The Marnus Labuschagne’ .”

• Early Days:

Marnus Labuschagne was born on Jun 22, 1994, in Klerksdorp, North West Province, South Africa. He moved to Australia at a young age of 10 alongside his family. His father worked in mine business. He started schooling in Brisbane.

Marnus was fond of the game since early school days. So he persuaded cricket in school and later he joined the Australian Institute of Sport. His astonishing performance in Junior cricket led him to be selected for U-15 and subsequently U-17 and U-19.

• Shieffield Shield:

Marnus Labuschagne’s extraordinary performances at the U-19 stage offered him a Shieffield Shield contract with Queensland in the season 2014-15. His debut game was special for Chadd Sayers as he picked up a hat-trick while Marnus was standing on Non-Strikers end. He went on to score 83 in the first innings.

Marnus Labuschagne was constantly a part of Queensland squad since his debut season but has only played a minimal number of games. But he also faced some drop in his average. He also played the white-ball cricket for Queensland and was decent at his job having a strike rate of over 90 and average fine above 45, he was slowly getting ready for the big stage.

 

• The Big Stage:

Marnus Labuschagne made his Test debut in 2018 but he caught the limelight in 2014 as he pulled off some brilliant catches in Border-Gavaskar Trophy as a substitute. His video of the sensational catch went viral and he earned enormous appreciation.

Although Marnus made his Test debut in 2018 he did not perform to his potential. As the Australian side was already suffering as David Warner and Steve Smith were serving their bans for the Sandpaper controversy. He was a part of the squad since his debut but wasn’t getting to play much in the playing XI.

• The Ashes:

Marnus Labuschagne showcased his talent, class and potential in the Ashes 2019. After 2014 once again he was called as a substitute but this time the rules were changed. Marus was replacing Australia’s most reliable batsman “Steve Smith“.

Steve Smith whose helmet was blown away by Jofra Archer in the Second Test of the five-match series, was unfit for the entire Test. But as per rules substitute was allowed for the a-like-for-like player. So Marnus replaced Steve Smith for the Second Test.

Steve Smith inability was a big blow but Marnus consolidated his place in the squad. He scored 59 in the second innings. Since then he has never looked back and has scored more than 7 consecutive 50 plus scores after the Second Test match of the Ashes.

Marnus has scored 100s, 150s and 200s since Ashes and when he bats alongside Steve Smith the bowlers don’t have a clue where to bowl these two. Marnus scored his career-best against New Zealand in 2019-20 series against them.

The knock took him to 837 runs at an average of 199.57 for the home season, bettering the 834 Australian batting great Neil Harvey tallied in a five-match series against South Africa in 1952-53.

• ODI:

Marnus Labuschagne was selected for the flight to India for 3 matches ODI series. He performed well as he scored 46 in the debut game and went on to raise his bat in the coming ODI. He scored his maiden ton against New Zealand in front of the home crowd. He averages 50.83 in ODI with an average of  63.43 in Test.

• Some interesting facts about Marnus Labuschagne:

1. Marnus Labuschagne stands at the second position in terms of Test average (63.43).
2. Marnus Labuschagne averaged 199.57 for the Home season 2019-20.
3. Marnus Labuschagne packed Steve Smiths kit bag when he was not in the playing XI.
4. Marnus Labuschagne bowls leg-spin and his BBM figures are 5/138.
5. Marnus Labuschagne has played county cricket for Glamorgan.

Follow Marnus Labuschagne on Instagram : @marnus3

Read about Suresh Raina here: Suresh Raina.