AUS vs SA Test: There’s something about Marnus Labuschagne that is different. He just cannot stop scoring runs. The number 1 Test batter is in a dream form and he credits his daughter for it. The magical batter thinks having a child has improved his ability to combine his career and personal life as he gets ready to play in South Africa, the country where he was born in his adopted home Brisbane.
Having hit an ODI century in South Africa in 2020, Labuschagne will make his Test debut against South Africa. Prior to the three-Test series, which gets underway at the Gabba on Saturday, he is in excellent shape. Labuschagne scored 502 runs at an average of 167.33 in two Tests against the West Indies, highlighted by three straight hundreds, including a double-century in the first Test.
AUS vs SA Test: Labuschagne is Obsessed About The Game
We have seen Labuschagne’s antics while he is batting. Talking about the same, he says. “I am who I am because I am obsessed and I am obsessive, I love to try and get better each time and each day. I think that part, hopefully it never stops for me because I think that’s what makes me who I am.”
Talking about what has helped his score heaps of runs in the long format, the top batters said. “Becoming a dad has probably helped me switch off a little bit from the game when I’m at home. When my family’s with me, certainly the two differences between when they were with me in Perth to when they weren’t with me in Adelaide – I got to bed a lot later in Adelaide and I was watching a lot more cricket videos at night. In Perth, that wasn’t the case, I was getting to bed earlier, putting her [Hallie] to bed.
Labuschagne is All Set for Proteas Challenge
Labuschagne grew up idolizing South African greats like Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, and Graeme Smith as a young cricket-obsessed boy in Klerksdorp. When he was ten years old and his family relocated to Australia, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, and Damien Martyn rapidly became his favorites.
Talking about South Africa challenge, he says. “I certainly think it’s always exciting what this Test holds because it is a little bit closer to my heart. Because it’s the country where I grew up and where I spent ten years of my life”
As Australia’s in-form No. 3, Labuschagne anticipates to be a target of South Africa’s hostile bowling attack. Labuschagne says in response when asked if he would replicate those tactics. “We’ll have to wait and see. I’ve got no doubt that they’re going to throw some curveballs. Hopefully the responses can be either funny or none at all.”
