Ashes 2021/22: Marnus Labuschagne slams his sixth Test ton
Australian top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne has slammed his sixth hundred in Test cricket. The 27-year-old got to the three-figure mark on Day 2 of the ongoing 2nd Ashes Test (Day/Night) at the Adelaide Oval. This is Labuschagne's first century in the Ashes. On the opening day, he became the fourth-fastest batter to complete 2,000 runs in the format. Here are the key stats.
Labuschagne smashed 103 off 305 balls in the first innings
Labuschagne helped Australia gain the edge on Day 1 of the Adelaide Test, along with David Warner. The duo shared a 172-run stand after the hosts lost Marcus Harris early. Labuschagne and Warner registered their sixth century stand in Test cricket. The former went on to smash 103 off 305 balls with the help of 8 fours. He was dismissed by Ollie Robinson.
Labuschagne averages 58.88 in the Ashes
Labuschagne's magnificent run in the Ashes continues. He now has 530 runs from six Ashes Tests at an incredible average of 58.88. He scored his maiden Ashes ton on Friday and has five half-centuries. His scores in the Ashes read as - 103, 0*, 74, 14, 48, 11, 67, 80, 74, and 59. Labuschagne was the first-ever concussion substitute in Test cricket (Lord's, 2019).
Second-best average in Test cricket
At present, Labuschagne has the second-best average in Test cricket (among batters who have played 20 or more Tests). He averages a staggering 62.48 and is next to only Bradman (99.94) on this tally. Labuschagne has surpassed his compatriot Steven Smith, who averages 61.65* in the format. The former holds the record for registering three hundreds in consecutive innings (185, 162, and 143).
Hundreds galore for Labuschagne
Labuschagne has now slammed a total of 21 hundreds in First-class cricket from 101 matches. As many as 17 of them have come in 51 matches since the start of the 2019 English summer.
Labuschagne completes 500 runs in D/N Tests
Labuschagne is one of the three batters to have scored 500 runs in Day/Night Tests. David Warner and Steven Smith are the other two to have reached this landmark. Labuschagne now owns 592 runs from five pink-ball Tests at an astronomical average of 84.57. This was his third hundred in Day/Night Tests, the most by a batter in pink-ball Tests.
Fourth-fastest to 2,000 Test runs
Earlier, Labuschagne became the fourth-fastest to 2,000 runs in Test cricket. He (34) is only behind Sir Donald Bradman (22), George Headley (32), Herbert Sutcliffe (33), and Michael Hussey (33) on this tally. Labuschagne is the fastest to do so since Hussey (2005).