The No. 1 Test batter in the world is also pushing his case to be the best fielder in the world.
Marnus Labuschagne on Boxing Day pulled off two brilliant individual efforts in the field as part of Australia’s day one demolition of South Africa at the MCG.
With just eight minutes before lunch, Proteas captain Dean Elgar looked to ease the pressure on him and his teammates by attempting a quick single.
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But Elgar pushed the ball to the wrong man in the covers.
Labuschagne quickly pounced on the ground ball, picked it up in his right hand and, in the same motion, threw the ball towards the non-striker’s end and ran Elgar out with an impressive direct hit.
“Marnus is just too good, too quick,” former Aussie wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist told Fox Cricket.
“The accuracy … Marnus Labuschagne, take a bow. You are a genius in every facet of the game.”
Minutes after lunch, Labuschagne was in the action again – this time thanks to a breathtaking catch.
Khaya Zondo attempted to smash Starc in the air through the overs. Instead, Labuschagne dived to his left and pulled in a stunning two-handed catch almost horizontal to the ground.
“That is unbelievable. He is everywhere, he is in everything,” Gilchrist said.
Former England bowler Isa Guha added Labuschagne pulled off a “champagne catch on Boxing Day, like a leaping salmon to his left”.
Star wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy said Labuschagne was “unstoppable”.
“He got that run-out earlier and he’s taken a screamer. I guess that’s exactly why he’s fielding in that position. They don’t need a cover when they’ve got Marnus in at short cover,” Healy told Fox Cricket.
“He seems to change the game constantly. Great catch.”
