‘I’m very privileged’: Labuschagne claims another big slice of history

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This was published 1 year ago

‘I’m very privileged’: Labuschagne claims another big slice of history

By Malcolm Conn
Updated

Marnus Labuschagne has etched his name alongside some of the greatest players in history after scoring a century and double century in the same Test.

He became just the third Australia and eighth player overall to achieve the remarkable feat by making an unbeaten 104 before Australia declared at lunch on the fourth day of the first Test against the West Indies at Perth Stadium. It followed his 204 in the first innings.

“I’ve only found out about the club,” Labuschagne said. “I haven’t really had time to reflect on it yet. And as a player, you never know how special it is until time goes by.

“You get to those periods where you don’t make as many hundreds and you miss out a few times. You’re like geez, remember that day?

“I feel very privileged to be able to be even named with those players in that club.”

He has been added to the venerable list containing Greg Chappell, Sunil Gavaskar, Graham Gooch, Brian Lara, Lawrence Rowe, Kumar Sangakkara and Doug Walters. Of the Australians, Chappell scored 247 not out and 133 against New Zealand in 1974 and Walters made 242 and 103 against the West Indies in 1969.

Elite company

Players to score a double century and century in the same Test

  • Marnus Labuschagne (Australia): 204 and 104* v West Indies, Perth, 2022
  • Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka): 319 and 105 v Bangladesh, Chittagong, 2014
  • Brian Lara (West Indies): 221 and 130 v Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2001
  • Graham Gooch (England): 333 and 123 v India, Lord’s, London, 1990
  • Greg Chappell (Australia): 247* and 133 v New Zealand, Wellington, 1974
  • Lawrence Rowe (West Indies): 214 and 100* v New Zealand, Kingston, 1972
  • Sunil Gavaskar (India): 124 and 220 v West Indies, Port of Spain, 1971
  • Doug Walters (Australia): 242 and 103 v West Indies, Sydney, 1969

Labuschagne now has 2849 runs at the imposing average of 59.31 in 29 Tests, scoring 50 or more in 22 innings. Don Bradman had passed the half-century mark 21 times in his first 29 Tests.

But for the cricketing gods smiling broadly down on him from a clear Perth sky, Labuschagne would have been a footnote in Australia’s second innings thanks to an exhilarating contest with the West Indies’ fastest bowler, Alzarri Joseph.

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From the second ball of Joseph’s third over of the day Labuschagne went to pull a short ball which hurried onto him, took a top edge, and flew over the slips for six.

Another short ball saw the batter get into a terrible tangle trying to hook. The ball took a top edge, crashed into the side of his helmet, and lobbed to gully for a simple catch.

Shaken and disappointed in equal measure, Labuschagne gathered himself and began the slow walk back to the change rooms until he realised it was a no ball.

“It’s one of those ones where you rattled, right, you got hit in the head, flush, your head’s spinning and you’re trying to do everything . Your heart’s racing, you’re trying to just calm yourself down and get back to that process.

“In those first few moments it’s hard. You’re setting up, you’re wondering am I ducking it, am I playing it? I felt like the bounce was quite steep.

Labuschagne felt the extra pressure of having to score quickly because he knew Cummins would declare at lunch.

“I was almost talking to myself going, ‘how are you going to how you’re going to get yourself back in the game here’?

“He bowled a full ball and I was almost already ducking.”

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