Labuschagne’s Test place gets shakier, Cricket Australia and Queensland in peace talks

Marnus Labuschagne’s Test place is even more precarious after he was part of a rush of wickets on a lively day one of the Sheffield Shield final in Adelaide.

Sent in by South Australia’s captain Nathan McSweeney, Queensland were rolled for 95, continuing their unwanted record as the only state to be bowled out for under 100 in Shield finals – this was the third occasion after tallies of 75 in 1993 and 84 in 2003.

Marnus Labuschagne’s unsightly dismissal in the first innings of the Sheffield Shield final. Credit: Cricket.com.au

Australia’s selectors were hoping to see something substantial from Labuschagne amid a crush for batting spots in the team ahead of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s in June, but got only a brief stay of seven balls.

On a surface offering some help for seamers but under sunny skies, Labuschagne was out-thought by SA’s spearhead Nathan McAndrew, who coaxed the Bulls skipper to flick to leg gully, after he was fortunate to survive a delivery that rolled from his body onto the stumps but did not disturb the bails.

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