NEW DELHI: Australia’s premier batter Marnus Labuschagne once again faltered against a left-arm pacer, with his vulnerability laid bare in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s.Labuschagne, who was promoted to open the innings for the first time in his Test career by skipper Pat Cummins for the high-stakes encounter, failed to make an impact.
He was dismissed for 17 by South Africa’s left-arm seamer Marco Jansen, who bowled from around the wicket and delivered a good length ball. Labuschagne, with tentative footwork, attempted a defensive prod but only managed to edge it to the wicketkeeper.Since 2022, Labuschagne has struggled notably against left-arm pace in the longest format. In that period, he has faced 271 balls from left-arm quicks, scoring just 104 runs and getting out six times — with half of those dismissals coming to deliveries bowled from both over and around the wicket.Earlier, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bowl first in conditions that were expected to favour the fast bowlers.“We’ll have a bowl first,” said Bavuma at the toss. “The surface looks a good one, with solid overhead conditions.“I’m happy. It’s too late now for anything else. We’ve selected the best team for the conditions.”
“It’s (a) massive (occasion). I think all of us have some sort of allegiance to Lord’s. It should be a spectacle of a game.”Australia captain Pat Cummins was unfazed by being put in to bat.“There’s a few clouds but that’s not unusual for England,” he said. “It’s dry and might turn later in the match.“I don’t think there’s any extra pressure (as defending champions). We’ve been here before and won it. This week is about enjoying it.”
