Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne believes that the World Test Championship (WTC) final against a ‘balanced’ South African team at Lord’s will be a ‘great match’. Australia last faced South Africa in a Test series in 2022-23, in which Australia won 2-0. Australia made it to the ICC World Test Championship final by winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India 3-1 last year. Let us tell you, the World Test Championship final is to be played from 11 to 15 June at Lord’s ground.
Marnus Labuschagne told ICC, “South Africa has been a very good team in this WTC cycle. It is a balanced team on paper. They have some very good players. It will be a great challenge for us. We have to focus on our game. Playing at Lord’s is special. It is going to be a great week and a great match.“
30-year-old Labuschagne was part of the playing XI that won the WTC trophy for the first time in 2023 by defeating India by 209 runs at the Oval. This time the Australian team is facing South Africa in the final. Regarding this tournament, Labuschagne said, “It is an exciting tournament. It means that every Test you play has something to offer. It brings all countries into the game. Anyone can reach the final. It is exciting to play in it. You are fighting for the trophy at the end of the two-year WTC cycle.”
Also Read: 3 Most UNLUCKY Players Of IPL History! Lost Every Finals They Played
Labuschagne further said, “I think it has been great. Two years ago, when we beat India, it was great. Whenever there is Test cricket, people want to watch it. Maybe India, Australia and England are bearing a little burden of Test cricket, but we really want all countries to continue to produce great players and be a part of maintaining such a wonderful tradition of Test cricket.”
Marnus Labuschagne plays an important role in Australia’s senior batting lineup. In 102 Test innings for 57 matches, he made 4,396 runs, averaging 46.76, and this totals 11 centuries and 23 half-centuries. Labuschagne has the highest score of 215 runs in a single innings.
Labuschagne gained a spot in the Australian team at the 2019 Ashes, as he became the first player to be used as a concussion sub in cricket. This event marked the beginning of Temba Bavuma’s best spell as a Test cricketer, with an average of 63.43 and a top ranking for six months on the ICC Test table starting last year.
There have been more challenges for Labuschagne in the ongoing World Test Championship, with the right-handed player averaging 28.33 and making a century. Since he was struggling to fit in with British conditions, Ashwin returned to county cricket to boost his skills.
Also Read: Team India Unveils New Training Kit, Star All Rounder Ravindra Jadeja Adorns The Fabric
