Marnus Labuschagne’s 70-run knock on Day 4 at the MCG was a tale of survival against persistent Indian bowling. The Australian batsman lived dangerously, repeatedly playing and missing early in his innings as India’s pace trio – Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Siraj – kept him under constant pressure.
Fortune favored Labuschagne twice in the innings. First, when an edge off Akash Deep’s bowling went to waste as Yashasvi Jaiswal couldn’t complete the catch in the slips. Then, he benefited from an umpire’s call verdict when an LBW appeal was reviewed – the ball tracking showed it clipping the top of leg stump, but Michael Gough’s original not-out decision stood. Advocating all these instances India star pacer Jasprit Bumrah could not resist himself from getting into a banter with the Australian batter. He said,
“”You’re the luckiest player I’ve ever seen in my life, Marnus”.
However, his luck finally ran out in the 56th over. In a moment of déjà vu, Siraj struck him on the pads as he overbalanced while defending. This time, Gough raised his finger. Though Labuschagne immediately reviewed, DRS confirmed the umpire’s judgment – another umpire’s call, but this time sealing his departure.
Although Australia’s great Mitchell Johnson has himself said that Marnus Labuschagne might not be ready for a prestigious tournament like that of the BGT. Also he hasn’t been that impressive in this year’s edition and the Indian bowlers has managed to keep him quite only in Melbourne he scored 70 runs. During the first innings he scored 72 runs which is the highest for him in this tournament.
