Image Credit- Getty
After Australia’s 360-run series-opening triumph over
Pakistan on a “brutal” Optus Stadium surface, Marnus Labuschagne
announced himself fit and prepared for the Boxing Day Test, having been cleared
of a significant finger injury.
As the surface failed to improve on days three and
four, Labuschagne was among several Australian batsmen who were roughed up in
their second innings.
Early in the third day’s final session, in the sixth
over of Australia’s second innings, Labuschagne was hit on the little finger of
his right hand by a rearing delivery that jumped off a length and was delivered
by rookie quick Khurram Shahzad.
He sought medical attention immediately, but resumed
batting after several mintes before falling for 2 having made 16 in the first
innings.
“The finger is fine, there’s no break. It hit me
more on the knuckle side and sort of just jammed up my hand,” Labuschagne
said. “It just got me in a bit of an awkward spot. There was no padding on
that side of the glove, so it just didn’t feel that good.
“I was a bit nervous. I’ve had a lot of finger
blows, but it just felt a bit different. It was a little bit sore
overnight.”
Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith also received blows to
their arms, while allrounder Mitchell Marsh was twice hit on the helmet on day
four as Pakistan’s quicks resorted to fiery short-pitched bowling.
“Uz seems fine and Steve is all good,”
Labuschagne said. “It was brutal there at the end with the cracks opening
up. We’re all used to the bounce, played a lot here and some of us have good
records in Perth.
“But no one likes batting when it’s up and down
[and] sharp steep bounce on a fast wicket. That’s not your cup of tea, but you
just have to find a way when it’s like that.”
After winning the hard-fought match, Australia will
most likely start the Boxing Day Test with no changes, which means that
all-rounder Cameron Green won’t be selected again.
Playing 39 Tests in a row, Labuschagne thought the MCG
wicket will pose problems for the batsmen. The wicket has been lively in recent
seasons after a period of tedium.
“The MCG wicket has changed so much over the last
four years,” he said. “It’s become probably very much like Adelaide
with a bit of seam and swing…quite a bit of grass. Probably will be a little
bit of a different challenge to this wicket, which was more bounce.”