All eyes were on Steve Smith ahead of this week’s round of County Championship action in England, with the Australian vice-captain making his Sussex debut in Worcester — but three hours up the M1, his apprentice stole the show.
Marnus Labuschagne smacked a blistering century, the 28th of his first-class career, at Headingley over the weekend, an unbeaten 170 not out in Glamorgan’s nailbiting draw against Yorkshire.
The Queenslander, who has now recorded seven tons for the Welsh county, plundered 24 boundaries and a six during his 207-ball demolition, guiding the visitors to 4-352 declared in the second innings.
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The previous day in Leeds, Yorkshire had been rolled for 106 courtesy of a career-best 7-32 from Glamorgan and Queensland teammate Michael Neser, who also snared a dramatic hat-trick.
Labuschagne, the world’s No. 1 Test batter, was dropped early on 11 when a full-blooded cut stroke was put down by Yorkshire’s Finlay Bean at point — but from there it was a chanceless knock.
The 28-year-old manoeuvred his way towards a half-century, his second of the match, in 105 deliveries — but he only needed another 38 balls to reach triple figures.
With Glamorgan’s lead exceeding 300 and a declaration beckoning, Labuschagne shifted gears to white-ball mode, whipping out an assortment of extravagant sweeps, scoops, paddles, glances and drives.
The right-hander took a particular liking to England Test spinner Dom Bess, accumulating 58 runs from 41 deliveries against the tweaker.
England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, returning from a long-term leg injury, watched on helplessly from behind the stumps, knowing he could be seeing a lot of Labuschagne this summer.
The Australian No. 3 brought up his century with a delicate late cut, removing his helmet and saluting the crowd before embracing teammate Billy Root, the younger brother of former England captain Joe.
After a slow start to his English summer, Labuschagne feels well and truly primed for the World Test Championship final against India and the five-match Ashes series.
“It hasn’t felt like it has come together until that innings,” Labuschagne told reporters at stumps on day three.
“I hit a few nice straight drives, a couple of nice cover drives and a nice flick through mid-wicket. That’s probably the most I’ve felt balanced at the crease, I felt like my head position was in a nice spot, my bat path was coming down nicely.
“For me it is taking it game by game and trying to build up that momentum that leads into the World Test championship and the Ashes.”
Labuschagne has seemingly taken a liking to Headingley, the venue of this year’s third Ashes Test — in four first-class knocks at the Leeds venue, he has registered scores of 74, 80, 65 and 170 not out, including twin fifties during the famous 2019 Ashes contest.
“I have had four innings here now at this venue and I have always enjoyed the bounce and carry,” Labuschagne said.
“I feel it allows me to leave the ball nicely on length and be able to make good decisions early. Once the wicket quickens up a little bit, there’s enough pace in it that you can score quite freely.”
Labuschagne enjoyed a 148-run third-wicket partnership with Glamorgan’s Sam Northeast, who issued a stern warning to England’s Test side ahead of their Ashes campaign.
“(Labuschagne) was almost ridiculous at times,” Northeast told BBC Sport Wales.
“When he came out after tea and said he wanted to put his foot down, he did exactly that.
“He played some special shots.
“Unfortunately for England fans, he looks like he’s in pretty good touch.”
After rain forced a premature end to day three, Glamorgan declared at stumps and set Yorkshire a 492-run target for victory.
The hosts needed to survive 96 overs on Sunday, pulling off the rescue mission and finishing the day on 9-412 courtesy of a defiant 174 from stand-in captain Adam Lyth, who soaked up 220 deliveries.
An unbeaten half-century from Yorkshire all-rounder Jordan Thompson frustrated Glamorgan’s bowling attack, who fell one wicket short of clinching their first victory of the season.
Glamorgan seamer Timm van der Gugten finished with 4-72 from 24 overs, while Neser couldn’t replicate his first-innings heroics, claiming 0-91 from 23 overs.
Neser nails hat-trick against Yorkshire | 00:26
