Marnus Labuschagne Predicts 'Great Match' In WTC Final Vs South Africa At Lord's
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Marnus Labuschagne feels it will a 'great match' in the WTC final against South Africa at Lord's, praising their balanced team and highlights Test cricket's significance.
Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne believes the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa at Lord's will be another 'great match". Australia last played South Africa in a Test series in the 2022–23 season, winning 2–0 at home.
'South Africa have been a very good team in this cycle. On paper, it's a well-balanced side with some really nice players," Labuschagne told ICC. 'It will be a good challenge for us, and we need to be at our best. Playing at Lord's is always special due to its history. It's going to be an awesome week and another great match," he added.
Labuschagne feels Test cricket is in a 'great place" ahead of the WTC final, as his team aims to defend their title. The 30-year-old was part of the XI that defeated India by 209 runs at The Oval in 2023 to win the trophy for the first time. They will now face South Africa, the country of Labuschagne's birth, in the third edition of a competition he believes has revitalised Test cricket.
'It is an exciting tournament. Every Test has significance, it involves all the countries, and anyone can make the final. It's exciting to play in, as you're competing for a trophy at the end of a two-year cycle. I think it has worked great. Beating India two years ago was awesome," he said.
'From a player's perspective, the game appears to be in a great place. Every time Test cricket is on, people want to watch it. While India, Australia, and England contribute significantly to the popularity of Test cricket, we hope all countries continue to produce great players and uphold the tradition of Test cricket."
Labuschagne has been a key player in Australia's top order since making history as Test cricket's first-ever concussion substitute at Lord's during the 2019 Ashes, the same venue as the upcoming final. After his first 14 Tests, Labuschagne had an impressive average of 63.43 and was the world's top-ranked Test batter for six months from December 2021. However, his form has dipped in the current WTC cycle, with an average of just 28.33 and only one century.
Despite this, he made key contributions during the home series against India, scoring 64 in Adelaide and 70 and 72 in Melbourne. Labuschagne has also been preparing for the WTC final by playing in British conditions with Glamorgan, a county side that has become a second home for him.
'I love playing with the guys here; they are close friends, and I love the club's environment," he said. 'Having a long-term relationship with the club allows me to call the director of cricket to line things up. Without that relationship, there might be some hesitancy, or you might not get someone in for two games. That's the benefit of the long-term commitment I've shown over the last six years."
(With inputs from IANS)
First Published:
June 07, 2025, 13:53 IST
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