“My Mom was adamant last night that I was playing,” Marnus Labuschagne’s mom predicts that he will play despite him not being selected in the playing 11

Labuschagne was the first concussion substitute in the history of cricket.

“My Mom was adamant last night that I was playing,” Marnus Labuschagne’s mom predicts that he will play despite him not being selected in the playing 11

Labuschagne celebrates his 50 (Image via X)

On the night before the 1st ODI between Australia and South Africa, Marnus Labuschagne’s mother told her son that she was sure he would feature in the game. Marnus told her that he wasn’t selected in the playing eleven. Well as fate would have it, she was not wrong. 

South Africa batted first but were bowled out for 222 in 49 overs. Opener and captain, Temba Bavuma, had carried his bat. He had scored 114 off 142 balls, batting for almost half the innings. In response, South Africa started their innings by getting David Warner out in the first over itself. In the 6th over they managed to get the wicket of Mitchell Marsh as well. Cameron Green came in at No. 4, with Australia scoring 38/2. First ball he blocked a ball by Rabada, but the next ball he was hit on the helmet. 

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Green had to retire hurt due to a concussion and Josh Inglis came in next but didn’t last long. In fact, Australia were 5 wickets down, scoring only 72 runs. In came Green’s concussion substitute, Marnus Labuschagne. After losing Marcus Stoinis and Sean Abbott in quick succession, Labuschagne and Ashton Agar put up an 8th wicket partnership of 112 runs. 

On a tough pitch Marnus had scored 80 runs off 93 balls, making him the player of the match. After the match he said, “My mum last night was adamant that I was playing, and I said ‘Mum, I’m not in the team’ … I guess I’ve just got some weird things that happen around concussion. ” 

Marnus Labuschagne is currently not a part of the 15 man Australian squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup. 

Related: “How do I pronounce your last name?” Fan asks Marnus Labuschagne during Rawalpindi Test

History repeats once again 

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Jofra Archer hits Marnus Labuschagne’s helmet (Image via Cricket Australia)

In 2019, Marnus Labuschagne was usually a fringe player for the Australian squad. He was travelling with the Australian squad for the 2019 Ashes being held in England. In the 2nd Test in Lord’s, Steve Smith was hit on the head by Jofra Archer in Australia’s first innings. Steve Smith had come off the field but returned to bat after Australia’s 7th wicket fell. In the next innings, he was ruled out due to concussion. 

In comes Marnus Labuschagne, the first Concussion Substitute in the history of the game. He had replaced Smith in the 2nd innings. The first ball he faced was a bouncer that hit the grill of his helmet. The 2nd ball was worse, Archer hit him on his helmet once again. He was fine, and scored 59 runs in that innings. Since then, he has been a major part of the Australian Test team.

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