Tag: Marnus Labuschagne

LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne praised his side’s effort after sealing a dominant eight-wicket win over Multan Sultans in the Eliminator 1 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Kingsmen first delivered with the ball, limiting a strong Multan Sultans batting lineup to 159 in 20 overs.  In reply, they chased down the 160-run target with ease, losing two wickets in the process and 28 balls to spare.

Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat starred with gutsy half-centuries, scripting a remarkable comeback for a team that lost their opening four games of the tournament.

With this win, they booked their place in Eliminator 2 and will play Islamabad United on May 1, at the same venue.

Speaking in the post-match presentation, Marnus Labuschagne mentioned the management and owners, lauding a special win.

“It is really hard to put into words what it means for the franchise, the owners, the team, and the sports staff for us to be here: it is really special. We put a lot of work and time into making sure we came prepared today,” he told the presenter.

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“We played really well especially with the bat and tried to come a few new ideas and a little bit of prep. It is nice that it came off today. [On bouncing back after the defeat to United] We actually addressed it today because I felt when we won that amazing game against Multan we were so high. We probably just expected to go and do the same thing the next game,” he added.

The skipper praised his players for staying composed under pressure, saying trust and communication were vital in T20 cricket, where bowlers are bound to have difficult overs.

“It is just great when you have guys in whom you can put your faith. In T20 cricket, you are always going to have a bad over and be put under pressure. But it doesn’t matter because you can just trust them and communicate and they trust that process.”

“I am so proud of the guys from where we were – not winning a game over the first four games and then finding our feet in back half of the tournament and really making a push,” he concluded.

READ: Shakib Al Hasan calls Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup withdrawal a ‘blunder’

LAHORE: Hyderabad Kingsmen captain Marnus Labuschagne has clarified the absence of promising youngster Maaz Sadaqat from his side’s playing XI in their Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 opener, confirming the batter was ruled out due to injury.

The Kingsmen made their much-anticipated debut against defending champions Lahore Qalandars at the Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday but endured a difficult start, suffering a heavy 69-run defeat.

However, the omission of Maaz Sadaqat, one of Pakistan’s most talked-about emerging talents, drew significant attention even before the first ball was bowled.

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The top-order batter, known for his aggressive stroke play and useful spin bowling, has been making headlines following his performances for Pakistan Shaheens and his recent ODI debut.

Addressing the situation in the post-match press conference, Labuschagne confirmed that the youngster was unavailable due to a side strain.

“Yeah, he was injured with… I don’t know if I’m meant to say what sort of injury that was,” Labuschagne said.
“A side. He had a side strain. I don’t know the severity, but hopefully we’ll have him back very soon.”

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

Hyderabad’s struggles on the field only amplified the impact of his absence, as their batting unit faltered in pursuit of a daunting 200-run target.

Labuschagne himself top-scored with a cautious 26 off 22 deliveries, while Riley Meredith contributed an unbeaten 19 from the lower order. Apart from them, only Saim Ayub (17), Hammad Azam (10) and Mohammad Ali (10) managed to reach double figures in an underwhelming chase, as the Kingsmen were bundled out for 130.

READ: Dominant Lahore Qalandars thump Hyderabad Kingsmen in PSL 11 opener

Australia top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne has expressed his excitement ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

Marnus, 31, has been roped in by Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen as a direct signing for the landmark season of the tournament.

Labuschagne shared a video message, expressing his delight at being part of the marquee league for the first time.

“I am excited to join Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen for this season of the PSL,” he said.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Marnus Labuschagne (@marnus3)

“I want to thank the club and fans, it is going to be a great year. Can’t wait to be a part of it. I can’t wait to join the team,” he added.

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Earlier today, the franchise also announced the signing of ace Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell for PSL 11.

The right-hander will strengthen the squad that also includes some other notable names, including Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub.

For those unaware, Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen was acquired by Fawad Sarwar’s Kingsmen Group, who won the franchise rights with a bid worth Rs1.75 billion (approximately $6.25 million).

On the field, the franchise has begun shaping a competitive squad.

They retained promising talents Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Akif Javed.

The team has also assembled an experienced coaching staff. Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie has been appointed head coach, with Grant Bradburn set to serve as fielding coach under his leadership.

The landmark PSL 11 season is scheduled to begin on March 26, while the much-anticipated player auction will take place on February 11.

Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen squad:

Saim Ayub, Akif Javed, Maaz Sadaqat, Marnus Labuschagne (Direct Signing), Glenn Maxwell, Usman Khan, Mohammad Ali, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Hassan Khan, Shayan Jahangir, Ottniel Baartman, Hammad Azam, Riley Meredith, Sharjeel Khan, Asif Mehmood, Hunain Shah, Rizwan Mehmood, Saad Ali, and Tayyab Arif.

READ: PSL 11: Hyderabad boost squad with Glenn Maxwell signing

The newly added team to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Hyderabad has signed ace Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne for the upcoming edition of the marquee league.

Marnus, 31, has been directly signed by the franchise, as announced on social media with an animated poster.

 

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A post shared by Kingsmen Hyderabad (@kingsmenhyderabad.psl)

“Yeah… this just happened. Calm under pressure. Built for big moments. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗲 locked in as our direct signing forPSL,” the caption read.

Marnus is a regular member of the Australian Test and ODI teams. He was also part of the 2023 Australian World Cup triumph.

Overall, he has played 59 T20s, scoring 1381 runs at an average of 26.55 at a strike rate of 126.81.

The franchise is yet to be officially named, with the launch event set for tomorrow at the Niaz Stadium, Hyderabad.

According to the organizers, the launch event will also include a live concert and fireworks, with singer Saif Samejo set to lightup the ceremony.

Moreover, as part of the launch activities, a rally will be organized from Karachi to Hyderabad to celebrate the introduction of the new franchise and engage cricket fans across the region.

For those unaware, the Hyderabad franchise, one of two new teams joining PSL 11 alongside the Sialkot Stallionz, was secured by Sarwar’s Kingsmen Group through the auction with a winning bid of Rs 1.75 billion ($6.25 million).

The franchise have already stacked up their coaching staff with the likes of prominent names.

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Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie will oversee the team as head coach. The 50-year-old has previously worked in Pakistan cricket and was appointed as head coach of the national Test side in April 2024.

Meanwhile, Bradburn will work as the fielding coach under newly-appointed head coach Jason Gillespie.

Bradburn brings significant experience to the role, having served Pakistan in multiple capacities in recent years.

He has also coached internationally, having previously worked as the head coach of Scotland’s men’s team.

The landmark edition of the league, PSL 11, will begin on 26 March, with the auction scheduled for February 11.

READ: Free entry announced for Pakistan vs Netherlands T20 World Cup clash

BRISBANE: Marnus Labuschagne has publicly backed embattled opener Usman Khawaja ahead of the second Ashes Test, shutting down speculation that he could move up the order even if Australia decide to make changes at the top.

Khawaja endured a difficult outing in the opening Test against England in Perth, managing just two runs across the match while also battling back spasms that kept him off the field for significant periods.

England’s first-innings collapse meant he did not get the chance to open as scheduled, and when he walked out at No.4, he was dismissed cheaply by Brydon Carse

His movement in the field was restricted again on the second day, where he recovered enough to take a sharp catch at first slip to dismiss Harry Brook before his back flared up once more while attempting another chance off Jamie Smith.

The situation has intensified scrutiny on Khawaja’s form, with the left-hander averaging just over 31 since the end of the 2023 Ashes and registering only one century over that period.

The conversation gained further traction after Travis Head smashed a match-winning hundred as a stand-in opener, reigniting talk of a possible long-term change at the top of the order.

Speaking at The Gabba on Monday, Labuschagne dismissed the narrative that Khawaja needs guidance or replacement at this stage.

“I think Usman is a high-quality player and I don’t think he needs advice,” Labuschagne told reporters.

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He praised the veteran’s record, longevity and adaptability, highlighting his consistency since returning to the Test side in 2021 and describing him as the backbone of the batting unit.

“You look at his record, 85 Tests and what he’s done for Australian cricket, especially since his comeback in 2021,” he added.

“He’s been super consistent; he’s been really the rock [in] the top there. I think there’s been a lot of talk about how many opening partners he’s had over his time.

“The way he’s gone about his game, the way he’s gone from a No. 3, 4 and then opened the batting, navigated some tricky scenarios, he’s just been awesome.”

Marnus Labuschagne also stressed that selection decisions rest solely with the management and that his focus remains on contributing in his own role.

“I think whatever happens is up to the people above my pay grade and what they deem is the best way for us to win the game and win this series. I think it’s just game by game and you work out what’s your best team,” he further stated.

READ: Three Pakistan stars secure deals in BPL 2025–26 auction

Australia middle-order batter Marnus Labuschagne opened up about his poor form with an Ashes spot looming, admitting that he had been trying too hard instead of relying on his natural batting strengths.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Fox Sports, Marnus stated that he wants to enjoy his game and play with freedom.

“It’s always nice when you’re scoring runs. The only thing I really wanted coming into this summer — take everything out, selections, everything else — I just wanted to be back playing cricket the way I want to be playing, playing with that freedom,” he said.

“It’s nice to have come out and started the way I have. Coming into this summer, runs was going to be the currency and that was probably the big focus point,” he continued.

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With Ashes looming, Marnus has picked form and scored four hundreds in his last six innings in Australia’s domestic competition.

He was going through a poor run of form from last couple of year, eventually sidelining him from the Test squad ahead of their three-match series against West Indies across June and July earlier this year.

“It doesn’t matter how you score them or what it looks like; just find a way to keep scoring runs. Since then, my technique moulded into whatever the game needs,” he explained.

The right-hander lamented diving too deep into the technical aspects of his game instead of focusing on what natural ability he had in his batting.

“There’s a few technical things that I’ve ironed out of my game and had a bit of time to work on.

(I was) getting too deep into my technique and trying to be too perfect instead of just playing with what I’ve got; just going out there, reading the game and then using my technique to adjust to whatever they’re bowling and how they’re trying to attack me,” he concluded.

Australia has started its action-packed summer on a high note with a thumping seven-wicket victory over India.

Meanwhile, the first of the five Ashes Tests against England will begin on November 21 at the Perth Cricket Stadium.

READ: Marsh, bowlers power Australia to win in rain-hit ODI opener

MELBOURNE: Top-order batter Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from the Australia ODI squad against India, which is set to begin on October 19 at Perth Cricket Stadium

Labuschagne has been dropped on the back of his poor run in the format, while Matt Renshaw has been added to the squad and is lined up to make his debut after having impressive outings for Australia ‘A’.

Renshaw was also named in the ODI squad against Pakistan in 2022; however, he didn’t get a game.

Meanwhile, ace pacer Mitchell Starc’s addition to the squad has also bolstered Australia’s pace attack. The left-arm pacer will be playing his ODI after a year.

Glenn Maxwell is not included in the squad as he is recovering from a wrist injury, which also kept him out of New Zealand T20Is.

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Following the squad announcement, chair of selectors George Bailey emphasized the Ashes and home season, hinting at workload management at the back end of the series.

“We have named a squad for the ODI series and first two games of the T20 series as there will be some management through the back end of the series as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket,” he said.

The majority of the T20 squad will remain together as it’s an important period in the build towards the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test series ahead,” he explained.

The three-match ODI series will begin from October 19 and end on October 25 followed by a five-match T20Is, starting from October 29.

Australia ODI squad vs India

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Owen, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Australia T20I squad vs India (first two matches)

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

READ: Markram picks THIS batter as game-changer against spin-slaught on Pakistan tour

Marnus Labuschagne has gone “back to the drawing board” in a bid to regain his Australia spot for the Ashes, boosted by knowing he was once the top batsman in the world.

The long-time number three in Australia’s batting order was dropped from the Test tour of the West Indies in June-July after a sustained lean spell.

The 58-Test veteran, known for endlessly tinkering with his technique, said it had been an opportunity to “step back mentally” and reassess his approach.

“There’s an analogy, you can try and bash yourself through the wall or you can just open the door and walk in,” he told cricket.com.au. “(That means) train smarter.”

“My technique over time hasn’t been where I wanted it to be, and probably there’s been a little bit too much time and focus going into trying to get that right, rather than just playing with what I’ve got.

“But it’s been a nice time to reset, be able to recalibrate and go, ‘Okay, I missed that West Indies series, how am I going to get myself ready to play the Ashes?'”

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Marnus Labuschagne was moved from his regular spot at three to open in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa in June, where he scored 17 and 22 in defeat.

But with his replacement, teenager Sam Konstas, struggling at the top of the order, he could be an option to open again alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test against England on November 21 in Perth.

The 31-year-old could also start at three if all-rounder Cameron Green moves down the order.

Labuschagne has had several stints at the top of the ICC batting rankings and said it was comforting knowing he was once the world’s best.

“The benefit is you know you’ve done it before, right?” he said.

“Two years ago, I was one of the best batters in the world. You know that it’s there and you know you’ve just got to go back to the (drawing) board and find that consistency, that mental clarity, to go out there and perform.”

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Australia on Friday dropped Marnus Labuschagne for the opening match of their three-Test tour of the West Indies after a poor run of form, while Steve Smith is out injured.

Teenager Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis come into the starting XI for the opening match in Barbados starting on Wednesday.

Labuschagne opened the batting in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa last week but managed scores of only 17 and 22 on a challenging Lord’s pitch.

His last hundred for Australia in Test matches was in July 2023, against England at Manchester. Since then, Labuschagne has averaged 24.7 with the bat, in 16 matches.

“Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team,” chair of selectors George Bailey said.

“He understands his output hasn’t been at the level we, or he, expects.

“We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively.”

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Meanwhile, Steve Smith injured his finger while fielding in the slips at Lord’s. He left the field and did not return, watching South Africa’s winning run chase from the pavilion.

“Steve needs more time for the wound to heal, so we’ll give him another week’s rest and assess his functionality after that,” Bailey said.

The 19-year-old Konstas will earn his third cap for Australia during the Test against the West Indies, and his first since January.

He made a blistering debut against India in December, blasting 60 from just 65 balls opening the batting and playing a number of audacious scoop shots against Jasprit Bumrah.

Konstas managed only 53 runs in his next three innings, but the teenager’s raw talent has selectors excited.

Inglis will also make his third appearance in Test cricket, having made 102 on debut against Sri Lanka in January.

Bailey said the batting order and final team would be determined closer to the first Test.

READ: Major blow for India as key player likely to miss first England Test

Legendary captain Ricky Ponting has advised struggling Australian batters Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to follow Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli to regain their form ahead of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Kohli, during the second innings of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia, etched his name in the history books as he struck his 30th century in the format, going past legendary Sir Don Bradman‘s tally of Test hundreds.

Kohli walked out to bat on the third day carrying the weight of four single-digit scores in his last five innings and a 16-month century drought. He last scored a century during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final against New Zealand.

However, he displayed a masterclass in strokeplay, marking his return to form with an unbeaten knock of 100 runs off 143 balls, laced with eight boundaries and two sixes.

His innings propelled India to a commanding position before skipper Jasprit Bumrah declared with a staggering 533-run lead. In response, Australia crumbled to 238 all out in the final session on day four.

On the other hand, Australian batters struggled against a fiery pace attack of India. Labuschagne managed a mere five runs across two innings, while Smith was dismissed for a frustrating first-ball duck in the first innings and scored 17 runs in his second innings.

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Despite their disappointing displays, Ricky Ponting remained optimistic, believing that both players have the potential to regain their form.

“Marnus [Labuschagne] looked the most tentative out of all the batters in Perth. Yes, it was high-quality bowling on a difficult wicket, but he needs to find a way to turn it around,” Ponting told ICC Review.

“You have to find a way to take risks and put it back on those guys because you know Bumrahs of the world they’re not going to give you too many easy scoring opportunities and when they do you’ve got to be ready to pounce on it and put it away and try and put some pressure back on them.”

Ponting cited Kohli’s example and encouraged Australian batters to trust in their abilities, drawing a parallel to Virat Kohli, who overcame similar challenges.

“Virat went back to trusting his game and he looked like a different player in the second innings than he did in the first innings,” Ponting said.

“He got away from trying to combat the opposition and focused on his strengths. That’s what Marnus and (Steve) Smith need to do – find their own way and show great intent.”

READ: Australia suffer major blow ahead of second Border-Gavaskar Test against India