Marnus Labuschagne scores 111 in warm-up before South Africa Test
Marnus Labuschagne scored 111 in warm-up cricket after 11 months without a century.
Marnus Labuschagne broke a lengthy drought with a swift 111 runs against a Cricket South Africa Invitation XI side on Sunday. The 32-year-old faced significant pressure after 43 Tests without a Test century, capped by three failures in the recent Bangladesh series.
Former captain Ricky Ponting had called his place untenable. Labuschagne raced to a 76-ball century and finished with 111 from 89 balls, hitting 19 fours, before retiring to let teammates bat.
He is likely to bat at number three in the first Test starting Friday in Durban. Steve Smith also scored 61 in the warm-up, and Alex Carey made 57 as Australia compiled 6-368 in the drawn match.
- 32 years old
- Labuschagne's age
- 43
- Tests without century
- 76 balls
- Century balls faced
- 111 from 89 balls
- Total runs in warm-up
Why it mattersLabuschagne was facing being dropped from the Test side; a century before the South Africa series significantly strengthens his case to stay.
AustraliaA key Australian batter has regained form ahead of Australia's major Test series in South Africa, starting Friday.
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