Marnus Labuschange, the new Australian batsman, posted his third successive Test century on the first day (Thursday) to frustrate a stubborn New Zealand attack in the first Day-Night Test match in Perth.
When Australia won a toss and elected to bat in Perth’s first Day-Night Test match, the home team was 248 for four at stumps after facing some disciplined Kiwi bowling attack, which was disciplined.
The Kiwis fought back late in the day when Steve Smith scored 43 and Matthew Wade was on 12 without much success in 40 degree Celsius heat.
Nevertheless, Labuschange was the Australian innings pillar. With Travis Head on 20, Labuschange was not out on 110.
For most of Australia’s top order, batting was hard work in the high temperatures, but Labuschange scored a chanceless knock to bolster his rapidly growing stature.
Test cricket’s leading run-getter in 2019 overtook the 1,000 run mark in the long format.
Called for the Test series in England from outside the Ashes squad after Smith was injured, Labuschange had posted his first two Test centuries against Pakistan in his previous two outings.
Labuschange completed his hundred by hitting Mitchell Santner for a six when he moved from 95 to 101.
It was only the second six of his career in Test matches. It took him 166 balls to achieve the landmark.
Star batsman Smith, on the other hand, really struggled against some controlled bowling during his innings, taking 164 balls to make 43 before getting out to a leg-side trap off Neil Wagner’s bowling (2-52).
– Ferguson limps off – Day-night Test
For the third wicket, Smith and Labuschange put on 132. Wanger tried to trouble Labuschange by bowling short.
Labuschange was previously dropped in the 19 slips, denying his first Test wicket to debutant Lockie Ferguson, who was called up to replace the injured Trent Boult.
Soon after, Ferguson left the field with a problem with the right calf and took no more part in the day.
David Warner had previously tried to continue his golden summer until he was dismissed for 43 off a fast return catch by Wagner.
Warner had scored 489 runs against Pakistan in the two innings of the previous Test series including his unbeaten 335 in Adelaide. Earlier, he scored 287 T20I runs in six games against Pakistan and Sri Lanka and got dismissed only once.
