Marnus Labuschagne gets his first captaincy stint at domestic level
Marnus Labuschagne is set to lead for the first time at domestic level. He would lead Queensland in their final Marsh Cup game of the season against South Australia. As per ESPNcricinfo, Labuschagne has never captained a side in professional cricket. He gets this opportunity as Queensland's regular skipper Usman Khawaja and vice-captain Jimmy Peirson have been rested. Here are further details.
A potential captain in Labuschagne
Khawaja, who last featured in the Brisbane Test against West Indies, is unlikely to play before the New Zealand Test tour, starting February 29. While he continues to rest, Peirson is nursing a knee injury. As a result, Labuschagne has taken over the reins of Queensland. Labuschagne, one of the few youngsters in Australia's Test side, could be looked upon as their potential skipper.
Queensland set to face South Australia
As mentioned, Labuschagne will lead Queensland in their final match of the Marsh Cup, Australia's premier 50-over competition. Queensland are languishing in the bottom half with a solitary win in six games. They will face bottom-placed South Australia in their final encounter.
A look at his ODI career
While Labuschagne is an established Test cricket, he needs to prove his mettle in white-ball cricket. In 52 ODIs, he has smashed 1,656 runs at an average of 37.63. The tally includes two tons and 11 half-centuries. Labuschagne starred in Australia's 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup-winning side. He scored a match-winning 58 in the big final against hosts India.
Labuschagne mattered in the big final
Notably, Labuschagne smashed the third-highest unbeaten score for Australia in the World Cup finals. He is only behind Ricky Ponting (140* vs IND, 2003) and Damien Martyn (88* vs IND, 2003). It is worth noting that Labuschagne was left out of Australia's provisional squad for the World Cup. He later earned a spot on the back of a solid run.
