Best since Bradman: Labuschagne elevated after ton

For a man whose first cracks at both state and Test cricket were far from notable, Marnus Labuschagne has transformed into a master of good first impressions. 

Labuschagne’s run-scoring spree continued Friday as he reached his sixth and slowest century in his 20th Test, with his 103 underpinning Australia’s imposing first-innings tally of 9-473 declared in the second Ashes contest in Adelaide.

His close friend and mentor Steve Smith, who was at the other end when he reached triple figures, told him he should buy a lottery ticket given the good fortune he received in his 305-ball innings, having been dropped three times and caught behind off a no-ball.

Yet as Smith, speaking to cricket.com.au after play on Friday, noted, “when you’re batting well you make your own luck as well”.

This from a man who not that long ago lost his Queensland contract after his debut season and then averaged 26 in his first eight innings for Australia.

Having risen above Steve Smith to become Australia’s No.1 ranked Test batter before the day-night clash, Labuschagne has now also lifted his batting average above Smith’s (61.65).

His mark of 62.48 puts him behind only Sir Donald Bradman (99.94) after he also went past Adam Voges’ mark of 61.87.

"That's the first I've heard of being second behind Bradman ... It's a special feeling," Labuschagne told reporters. "But Bradman's done and a couple of nick offs and I'm right to the back of the pecking order.

"You can't really think like that (about records) ... The personal performances and accolades are nice.

"But I just think about trying to score as many runs as possible each innings to put us in positions to win games."

But of all his statistical accomplishments, it is Labuschagne’s first-innings record that truly boggles the mind.

His record at the beginnings of Tests since his famous Ashes entrance in 2019 as Smith’s concussion sub is extraordinary; his first-innings average is now 102 from 14 hits, passing fifty in all but three of those innings (narrowly missing with scores of 47, 48 and 48) and reaching triple digits in six attempts.

Statistically he is also Australia’s best No.3 since Bradman (minimum five innings), averaging 73 from first drop.

Only Kane Williamson comes close to Labsuchagne’s stellar record at first drop since assuming that position permanently after Smith’s return for the Old Trafford Test in 2019, with the New Zealand skipper averaging 63.82 over that period and having scored two fewer tons.

“He’s batting exceptionally well and his processes are just outstanding at the moment,” Smith told cricket.com.au. “He’s got it down to a tee how he wants to play at the moment.

“He’s composed, calm and doing a terrific job and has been for a couple of years now. Really pleased he was able to get a hundred.

“He wants to go out and score runs pretty much every day. He bats probably just as much as me, if not more in the nets. He absolutely loves it. He’s someone that wants to improve and get better, and he thinks a lot about the game.

“I’m not surprised to see the results he’s been getting. He’s just batting really well. He’s got great processes in place and he’s sticking to them under pressure. He’s playing exceptionally well and long may that continue.”

Vodafone Men's Ashes

Squads

Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

England: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

Schedule

First Test: Australia won by nine wickets

Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG

Fifth Test: January 14-18, Blundstone Arena