HIGHLIGHTS
- Marnus Labuschagne scored his maiden Test double hundred vs New Zealand
- His stylish double century came off 346 balls with 19 boundaries and one six
- This innings also helped Labuschagne go past Steve Smith’s Test average
Marnus Labuschagne continued his stellar summer at the crease as he scored his maiden Test double-hundred against New Zealand at SCG on Saturday.
Marnus Labuschagne celebrated his maiden double ton at the SCG by taking his helmet off and hugging his captain Tim Paine. Labuschagne’s dad was on his feet and the stellar performance received applause from all-around.
Labuschagne was Test cricket’s leading run-getter last year with 1,104 runs and is carrying on where he left off in 2019.
This innings also helped Labuschagne go past Steve Smith’s Test average. His stylish double century came off 346 balls with 19 boundaries and one six. Marnus Labuschagne (837) has also overtaken Neil Harvey (834) and Bradman (810 runs and 806 runs).
Labuschagne helped Australia dominate New Zealand in the third Test of the 3-match series in Sydney, before getting dismissed on 215 by Todd Astle.
On Day 1, Labuschagne was untroubled and kept the score ticking over for the hosts and raised his 50 off 97 balls, with four boundaries.
Labuschagne continued to score serenely and deservedly reached his fourth century in seven innings this summer with a clip to fine leg for a boundary off de Grandhomme in the 72nd over.
The world’s fourth-ranked batsman has now passed 800 runs in the five tests this summer at an average of 133.
On the other hand, New Zealand, weakened by the absence through illness of Kane Williamson, batsman Henry Nicholls and spinner Mitch Santner, fought hard for another breakthrough and finally got their reward through Henry, who broke his left thumb on day one.
However, New Zealand managed to extract a couple of wickets accounting for Travis Head, Matthew Wade and Tim Paine. Somerville struck in the first over on resumption of play, sending back Wade who had counterattacked with a quickfire cameo on an opening day, with the bowler breaching the batsman’s defenses to pick up his maiden Test wicket at the SCG with the wicket turning aplenty.
