Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne has confirmed his availability for the upcoming Boxing Day Test against Pakistan after an injury scare during the recent Test match at the Optus Stadium. Labuschagne, who played a crucial role in Australia’s victory over Pakistan, suffered a finger injury during the match but has recovered in time for the next fixture.
The incident occurred during the second innings of the match when Labuschagne was hit on his right-hand little finger by a delivery from debutant fast bowler Khurram Shahzad. Despite the discomfort, Labuschagne showed resilience and continued batting, although he was eventually dismissed for a low score. Following the match, it was revealed that there was no break in his finger, and he was determined to be fit for the next Test.
Labuschagne spoke about the incident, stating, “The finger is fine, there’s no break. It hit me more on the knuckle side and sort of just jammed up my hand. It just got me in a bit of an awkward spot. There was no padding on that side of the glove, so it just didn’t feel that good. I was a bit nervous. I’ve had a lot of finger blows, but it just felt a bit different. It was a little bit sore overnight.”
In preparation for the upcoming Test, Labuschagne underwent a net session where he faced the rapid deliveries of Lance Morris, known for his pace. The session was not only aimed at testing his finger but also at getting more batting practice ahead of the crucial match.
Labuschagne also commented on the challenging conditions faced by the batsmen during the recent Test match, acknowledging the difficulty of batting on a pitch with unpredictable bounce. He highlighted the importance of adapting to such conditions and expressed his determination to perform well in the upcoming fixture.
Labuschagne said, “It [net session] wasn’t to test the finger out, it was to bat…something I didn’t do enough of in this game. Uz seems fine and Steve is all good. It was brutal there at the end with the cracks opening up. We’re all used to the bounce, played a lot here and some of us have good records in Perth. But no one likes batting when it’s up and down [and] sharp steep bounce on a fast wicket. That’s not your cup of tea, but you just have to find a way when it’s like that.”
Labuschagne’s return will be a significant boost for Australia as they look to maintain their dominance over Pakistan in the Test series. His form with the bat and his ability to handle tough situations make him a key player in Australia’s lineup.
As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the Boxing Day Test, all eyes will be on Labuschagne as he aims to make a strong comeback and contribute to Australia’s success against Pakistan.
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