South Africa’s Bloemfontein, September 8 (ANI): Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne claimed that his mother had a confidence that he would play in the match despite not being in the squad, and he ended up playing after scoring the match-winning half-century against South Africa in the first ODI.
Marnus Labuschagne, a batsman, made a statement after his exclusion from the World Cup 2023 team by partnering with Ashton Agar to help Australia defeat South Africa by three wickets in the opening one-day international of a five-match series on Friday.
She remained for the whole game, according to Labuschagne, who recounted it in the post-match presentation as reported by cricket.com.au. “She was certain before I got here that I was going to play this game, and I told her “I have seen the team, mom, I am not in the squad.”
“She just had a feeling, and once again she’s right,” he said.
The batter said that he has been working out very hard, something he is pleased of and ensures he is always prepared for.
The chance that arises when you are a concussion substitute is sometimes something of a free hit because the pressure of the game is there but clearly the expectation is probably not as great on you. The previous 10 to 12 games, I felt like I did not play with the energy and bravery that I would have wanted, which has really disappointed me in one-day cricket, said Labuschagne.
He said that he did not take his exclusion from the team all that seriously and that he knew why.
When I was dropped, I told the selectors, “I understand, I haven’t made runs,” so I wasn’t too startled, Labuschagne remarked.
“After I returned from the Ashes, I sat down and thought carefully about what I wanted to do about my one-day game. I still want to bat in the middle of the order, and you just have to wait for your chance, and when it comes, you have to be ready,” he said.
Since 2022, Labuschagne has not taken advantage of his ODI chances. He has only scored 454 runs at an average of 30.26 in 18 games, with only four fifty-sixes in 17 innings.
South Africa was dismissed for 222 in 49 overs when the game began. SA reached 200 runs thanks to a century from Temba Bavuma (114 in 142 balls with 14 fours and a six) and a fifty-run partnership with Marco Jansen (32). The best bowlers for Australia were Marcus Stoinis (2/20) and Josh Hazlewood (3/41). Each of Adam Zampa, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, and Sean Abbott secured a wicket.
Australia stood at 113/7 while attempting to chase down 223 runs thanks to a 112-run partnership between Labuschagne (80* in 93 balls with 8 fours) and Ashton Agar (48 in 69 balls with 3 fours and a six). Gerald Coetzee (2/44) and Kagiso Rabada (2/48) were SA’s top two bowlers. (ANI)
