Queensland skipper hits elegant ton after ODI snub
Marnus Labuschagne continued his runs to reclaim his place in Australia’s white and red-ball sides ahead of a blockbuster Ashes summer.
With his first opportunity to prove Australian selectors may have missed a trick keeping him out of the one-day race, the Queensland star has responded decisively to press his case for an international recall.
Labuschagne took just two deliveries to show he will be at the crease for a long time on Thursday, punching Riley Meredith past covers to the boundary on his way from his side’s 311 to a gracious 105 against Tasmania.
Marnus Labuschagne scored another century for Queensland.Credit: Getty Images
Successes in the batting paradise at Allan Border Field followed, a one-day hundred against Victoria and a Sheffield Shield 160 to return to the Ashes framework.
The Queensland captain’s snub for the upcoming ODI series against India, which starts on October 19, comes after he left the Test squad ahead of the West Indies tour.
Labuschagne’s departure from the shorter format followed a lean spell in 50-over play, averaging just 13.80 in his last 10 innings for Australia, but he is now back to playing with a freedom that has dogged him for the best part of two years.
His final century was achieved from just 89 deliveries.
Labuschagne hit eight boundaries and two sixes in the process, combining with Jack Clayton (64) for a 90-run partnership, but the majority of the squad ultimately threw away their wickets.
His dismissal triggered a collapse of 7-70 for Tasmania to remain well in the hunt.
