Marnus Labuschagne’s wait for a Test century has reached a new record low. The Australian No. 3 lasted just five deliveries without scoring on day two of the decisive Test against South Africa in Cape Town, failing to reach three figures for the 48th innings in a row — a new record for an Australian top-order batter.
Marnus Labuschagne (Credits: BBC Sport)
Labuschagne’s Record Drought in the Decisive Cape Town Test
Labuschagne has not scored a Test century since the 2023 Ashes at Old Trafford, and his average since then has fallen to 24.77. That is a steep drop from the player who, from his introduction as a concussion substitute in the 2019 Ashes through England’s next attempt to win back the urn, averaged 65 in Test cricket — a run so strong that only Sir Donald Bradman’s 99.94 would sit ahead of it over a full career.
In Cape Town, with Steve Smith ruled out by a neck injury, Australia needed their No. 3 to finally feast at what has felt like a last-chance saloon. Instead, stuck on the crease and playing back to a full ball, he nicked spinner Simon Harmer to slip and was gone for nought.
Former Australia quick Jason Gillespie did not mince words on ABC, calling the 48-innings mark a record that will never be broken, because no batter will be given that length of time again. He added that the sample size is now very big, and that Australia are at a point where they need to look elsewhere.
Ponting, Katich and the Pressure on Labuschagne
The scrutiny has been building for months. In August, former Australia No. 3 Ricky Ponting called for the axe to fall, delivering the cutting verdict that Labuschagne can’t score off the back foot. His technique has been examined over and over as the slump has dragged on.
Former Australia batter Simon Katich pointed to the pressure around the player, telling SEN Radio that the dismissal was about nerves and the pressure the selectors have put him under for an extended period, arguing they put him in this position by not making the decision to give him a breather.
Labuschagne has batted nicely in three or four innings in this series only to give it away after reaching 30. In Cape Town, all of those issues seemed to collapse into a single dismissal, and his pained stare down the pitch looked like the end of something.
Australia’s New Guard: Renshaw, Green and Inglis Make Fifties
What followed, though, hinted at Australia’s future. With Travis Head already out and Labuschagne gone, the score stood at 58-2 in reply to South Africa’s 329, with no Smith to steer the side out of trouble.
Instead, three of the side’s junior members stepped up. Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis all made fifties and put Australia in the ascendancy. Renshaw, who has been kept out while selectors hoped Labuschagne could rediscover his best form, made 74 to follow a career-best 190 in Durban, looking like a fixture for the winter and beyond.
Green, the 27-year-old long viewed as Australia’s golden boy across 39 previous Tests without ever truly looking comfortable, made 65 with new composure and authority under Table Mountain. Inglis was arguably the most impressive of all: he had not faced the red ball since March, had his preparations limited by a broken finger, and walked in with South Africa buoyed after Marco Jansen dismissed Renshaw and Green in successive overs before tea.
Australia closed in a strong position at 330-4, leading by one run, with Labuschagne possibly getting one more chance in this Test if South Africa are dismissed before Australia need to bat again. Whether he gets it or not, the direction of travel in Cape Town felt clear: the old guard’s drought continues, and the new guard is already standing up.
Also Read: Australia Fight Back as Starc Takes Four in Six Balls to Bowl South Africa Out for 329 at Newlands
Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
