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With a first-class average in the low 30s when he became baggy green No.455, few could argue that Labuschagne was picked on performance.
Such has been his hot run in the Test arena, it is often forgotten Labuschagne, the player of the domestic one-day tournament in 2016, caught the eye of selectors through his deeds against the white ball.
But it’s Labuschagne’s stomach for the contest and his willingness to go where few dare to tread that sets him apart from many of his contemporaries.
Tough, hard-nosed, work ethic. Speak to anyone involved in Australian cricket about Labuschagne and these are invariably the words commonly used to describe the fastidious trainer who puts his hand up for the unwanted jobs.
Labuschagne makes the hard runs when they are needed most. He sealed an unlikely Ashes berth in 2019 with 41 in a total of 105.
He is an agenda-setter. All six of his Test centuries have come in the first innings. Since sensationally replacing Steve Smith at Lord’s in 2019, he has averaged 102 in the first dig, when pitches tend to be liveliest.
Labuschagne’s eccentric mannerisms and dog-at-the-door enthusiasm on the field can mask the heavy-duty cricketer deep inside. Nerves were frayed in the Australian dressing room when Jofra Archer floored Smith at Lord’s. Smith’s removal from the game did not help the mood.
“Everyone was edgy,” Hohns said. Even more so after Labuschagne himself was floored, second ball by Archer. He got to his feet immediately, stared down Archer, and batted for another two and a quarter hours to help Australia save the game. Hohns rates it among Labuschagne’s best knocks.
Emboldened by a ringing endorsement from batting whisperer Neil D’Costa, who mentored Michael Clarke and the late Phil Hughes before guiding Labuschagne, Langer was instrumental in the contentious call to bat Labuschagne at No.3 against India in the 2019 Sydney Test. He has since made the position his own.
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“People who have got that energy and love for the game, who have no doubt got some natural talent, you like to take a punt on them,” Langer said. “He astounds us every time.”
Labuschagne last week became the fifth fastest batter to reach 2000 Test runs. Langer is confident the best is yet to come.
“I’ve got absolutely no reason to believe he won’t get better and better,” Langer said. “He’s certainly as hungry as ever. He’s working as hard as ever. Let’s hope he continues on this incredible rise.”
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‘He astounds us’: Labuschagne confounds critics on road to the top
Source: Philippines Alive
