They say Marnus Labuschagne is a lucky Test batter — but just how lucky?
In a world-first, Fox Cricket provided the answer during the first Test between Australia and the West Indies, which saw the No.4 heavily riding his luck once again.
As he built towards another century in the second innings, Labuschagne saw a number of false strokes go unpunished, and he was caught out — but it was a no ball from Alzarri Joseph.
That luck followed on from his first innings double century when he was dropped twice and survived a number of other chances.
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According to Fox Cricket’s analysis, Labuschagne had produced 29 edges and 16 play-and-misses up to 40 minutes before lunch on day four.
“To get a big score in Test cricket you always need a bit of luck but Marnus Labuschagne, he’s had more luck than most in this Test,” Mike Hussey said.
He added: “This game can be very fickle, it can change very quickly. When the luck’s going your way you’ve got to cash in.”
Another stat showed that since July 2019, Labuschagne had nearly been dropped by the opposition as much as he had been caught.
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Labuschagne had been dropped 16 times compared to 20 catches, a conversion rate of 55.5 per cent.
Only Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne has enjoyed a lower conversion rate at 52.7 per cent.
Meanwhile, records belonging to Fox Cricket statistician Lawrie Colliver proved how that luck has impacted Labuschagne’s Test record.
Speaking of the stats, Adam Gilchrist said: “(Lawrie’s) gone through Marnus’ career and had a look at, hypothetically, if the first chance he offered in an innings had been taken,
“His batting average … it would be 44.”
Labuschagne went on to follow his first innings double century with a century in the second innings which came off 108 balls.
Labuschagne is now one of only three Australians have ever scored a double century and a century in the same match, joining Doug Walters in 1969 and Greg Chappell in 1974.
His Test average now sits at 59.31.
“Obviously bit of luck today with that bouncer,” Labuschagne told Fox Cricket at lunch. “He was bowling quite fast there and I got away with one.
“It got the beans running. Jeez, I played some rogue shots after that. I tried to compose myself and get the heart rate down a bit. But it was a really good spell, a real good battle.”
