The cricket world was taken by surprise during the 1st ODI between Australia and South Africa as Marnus Labuschagne took centre stage in an unexpected twist. What's more riveting is that Labuschagne's mother, Alta, predicted his son's inclusion in the game the night before.
Initially, Labuschagne wasn't part of the series' squad. However, fate had different plans. After Steve Smith’s injury, Marnus got a chance. But the real turn came when Cameron Green suffered a nasty blow from Kagiso Rabada’s fierce bouncer. Marnus was introduced as a concussion substitute for Green. Australia was in dire straits struggling at 72 for 5.
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Teaming up with Ashton Agar, Labuschagne played a pivotal innings, scoring 80 from 93 balls, navigating Australia to a surprising victory.
“What a roller-coaster! My mother had predicted I’d play. After the concussion, the game took a surprising turn. Given my recent performance in One Day cricket, I had taken some time off. I had areas to improve, especially against spin and pace. But the way the match evolved, it was incredible,” recalls Ecstatic Labuschagne.
The world of cricket remembers Labuschagne’s momentous journey from being a relatively unknown figure in 2019 to his current position as the top-ranked Test batter. When he replaced Steve Smith in 2019 after Smith suffered a blow from Jofra Archer’s bouncer, Labuschagne not only proved his mettle but also ensured his place in the team with consistent performance.
Asked about his chances in the World Cup squad given his recent game, Labuschagne remained humble, stating, "My job is to perform for my team. Whatever happens with the World Cup squad is beyond my control. But the support I receive, not just from family but fans is always overwhelming."