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Playing for his career: Did Marnus gamble fail?
SEN • June 12th, 2025 10:25 am
SEN cricket expert Adam Collins believes Marnus Labuschagne is playing for his Test career after an uninspiring opening innings at the World Test Championship.
Named as a makeshift opener over teen sensation Sam Konstas, Labuschagne made just 18 against a blistering South African pace attack at Lord’s in what many will say was a failed experiment.
Usman Khawaja was bowled for a 20-ball duck while Cam Green lasted just three balls leaving it to Steve Smith and Beau Webster to salvage something with Australia at a perilous 67-4.
The duo scored 66 and 72 respectively to help Australia to a modest total of 212.
Collins says only one thing can Labuschagne from here.
“He may well be (playing for his career),” he said on SEN Cricket. “Other countries don’t get as fixated on dropping players as Australia. Someone not being selected ‘they’re sacked’.
“Other cultures are more amenable to players being out of form and going back to domestic competition to find form.
“That might be the case for Marnus. But it’s been a steady decline to the remarkable peak in 2022/23 when he averaged mid 60s. Today he’s a makeshift opener for a grand final.
“I thought he batted quite well in very tough circumstances, he faced Rabada one of the best to ever do it. What will be concerning is the way he was dismissed. A ball he should have left and that’s a relatively familiar story with Marnus. He did a pretty good job to that point but that won’t be enough to save him when we get to the Windies.
“It’s clear to me they will use Konstas for that series. Marnus needs a big score in the second series to keep his spot.”
Mercifully for Australia, the big three dismantled South Africa’s top order before stumps,
something Collins believe could make for an incredible second and third day.
something Collins believe could make for an incredible second and third day.
The Proteas were 43-4.
“History at Lord’s on day two and three is the best time to bat,” he said. “If the weather behaves it will mean the onus will be on SA.
“Bedingham is not out overnight, and he has a lot of experience. He’s the guy they need to build an innings around.
“If they’re all out for 150 tomorrow and Australia get to bat in those conditions I doubt they will get bowled a second time.
“How do SA combat Australia’s big three and Nathan Lyon as well? It’s a lot for SA to deal with but they will have to find a way.”
