Sportsupdated 1h ago2 min read
MapMarnus Labuschagne Fails At Newlands As Australia Leads South Africa In Decisive Test
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Australia led South Africa by one run after day two at Newlands. Marnus Labuschagne fell for a five-ball duck amid slump.
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Labuschagne’s slump deepens
Marnus Labuschagne lasted five deliveries and did not score a run as Australia faced South Africa in the decisive Test at Cape Town, with Australia on 330-4 leading by one run after South Africa made 329. Steve Smith was ruled out of the enthralling decisive Test against South Africa with a neck injury, and Australia looked to Labuschagne at number three on day two at Newlands. Jason Gillespie said, on ABC, "That will never be broken," as Labuschagne failed to score a Test century for the 48th time in a row.
Simon Harmer dismissed Labuschagne after he nicked to slip, and the fifth delivery of the set reached 87.9km/h as South Africa’s intensity rose at the crease. Australia’s innings then shifted as Matthew Renshaw, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis made fifties, with Inglis finishing 85 not out in an unbroken partnership of 145 with Alex Carey.
Selectors under fire
Simon Katich told SEN Radio that "That's nerves and the pressure the selectors have put him under for an extended period of time," after Labuschagne’s five-ball duck. Katich also said the selectors put Labuschagne in the position by not deciding to give him a breather, and he described the circuit breaker decision as something they refused to do. Mark Waugh said on Kayo Sports that Labuschagne was "just not watching the ball" and was "thinking about I need runs without actually going through the right process."
Kerry O’Keeffe said Labuschagne was "tentative" in his five balls, and O’Keeffe warned that if he did not get runs in the second innings then the regeneration of Australia’s team would start with Marnus. The West Australian framed Labuschagne’s situation as his Test career being in the balance after he failed to score on the second day of the deciding contest in Cape Town.
Australia’s position, next innings
Australia finished day two in a strong position with a one-run lead at 4-330, after Matt Renshaw made 74 and Cameron Green made 65. Josh Inglis and Alex Carey remained not out, with Inglis on 85 and Carey on 51 as Australia prepared for the next phase of the match. cricket.au said Steve Smith was dramatically ruled out of the series-deciding third Test against South Africa with Josh Inglis among four inclusions to Australia’s XI in Cape Town.
Pat Cummins said Smith "had another little try (batting) this morning but wasn't happy with how his neck was feeling, so we had to look elsewhere," and Cummins added that Australia had "some guys really well-placed" after the changes. The match context remained decisive, with the third Test scheduled as October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local), and South Africa’s XI including Temba Bavuma and Simon Harmer.