South African-born Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne has scored his maiden half-century in Australia’s first Test against Sri Lanka.
Born in Klerksdorp in the North West Province, Labuscagne moved to Australia at the age of 10.
He has since made his way through the ranks, making his debut for Queensland during the 2014–15 Sheffield Shield season. His performances earned him a call-up for the Test side against Pakistan in October 2018.
It took him four Tests to score his first half-century, and it came against Sri Lanka in Australia’s first innings of the first Test on 25 January in Brisbane.
Australia were backpedalling on 84-4 when Labuschagne came to the crease, and he built an incredible middle-order partnership with Travis Head to take the hosts to 248 before he was dismissed on 81.
He attempted to skip down the wicket looking to drive Dhananjaya de Silva, but instead found the fielder at short mid-on.
Labuschagne’s 81 came off 150 balls and included three fours.
This helped Australia take control of the contest, after bowling Sri Lanka out for 144.
Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
