Marnus Labuschagne has revealed the hilarious sledge he’s been copping from teammates following his historically lucky run with the bat.
Labuschagne became the third Australian ever to score a double century and a century in the same Test, with back-to-back big knocks against the West Indies.
But the Queenslander enjoyed more than his fair share of luck and the statistics show since July 2019 Labuschagne has been dropped nearly as much as he had been caught.
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Labuschagne has 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.
“I’ve certainly had the rub of the green on many occasions of late,” Labuschagne said.
“I think it sort of comes in waves – there were times there when I was in Pakistan and I felt like the green was not rubbing the same way – you’re missing out, guys are taking stunners, you’re nicking off on flatties. There’s one slip, literally every other fielder is in front of the wicket and you’ve hit it to the one guy.
“I have definitely felt like it must be all the prayers from my mum, my grandma, my family getting all sent up at once.
“A few of the boys are joking I’ve got that little bible verse at the bottom of my bat that maybe I’ve got to put one on Josh’s shoes tomorrow. He had that clip the bail there and it didn’t come off.
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“You’re never going to complain when you’ve got a bit of the rub of the green. Cricket’s a funny game and the tide turns.”
Labuschagne followed his first innings double century with a century in the second innings which came off 108 balls.
He joined Doug Walters in 1969 and Greg Chappell in 1974 as members of the elusive double century and century in the same Test club.
“I haven’t really had time to reflect on it yet,” Labuschagne said.
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“As a player you probably never know how special it is until time goes by and you get to those periods where you don’t make as many hundreds and you miss out a few times and you’re like ‘geez remember that day?’.
“I feel very privileged to be named with some of those players in that club.”
Meanwhile, records belonging to Fox Cricket statistician Lawrie Colliver proved how that Labuschagne’s luck has impacted his Test record.
“(Lawrie’s) gone through Marnus’ career and had a look at, hypothetically, if the first chance he offered in an innings had been taken,” Adam Gilchrist said.
“His batting average … it would be 44.”
Labuschagne’s Test average now sits at 59.31.
