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1st Aussie To..? Marnus Labuschagne Claims Shameful Record After Painful 2 Off 52 Balls

Marnus Labuschagne creates unwanted record with painful knock vs India [Source: @RobertoSatire/X.com]Marnus Labuschagne creates unwanted record with painful knock vs India [Source: @RobertoSatire/X.com]

Australian middle-order batter Marnus Labuschagne had a tragic outing at the Perth Test’s opening day as he was dismissed by Mohammed Siraj after scoring just 2 runs in as many as 52 balls. This is the slowest knock ever registered in Australia’s Test history.

Australia, dominating in the first two sessions on Day 1 of the Perth Test, suddenly saw the tables turn dramatically in the second innings. Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah’s powerful spell shook the top order as Khawaja, McSweeney, and Steve Smith were completely undone by Bumrah’s execution. He even got Marnus Labschagne for a duck if not for Virat Kohli’s embarrassing dropped catch. 

Marnus Labuschagne slow knock worst in Australia history

From then on, Labuschagne, who holds over a 100 Test average in Optus Stadium, held one end by defending everything the Indian bowlers threw at him. However, due to constant chirping and a couple of blows, Marnus’ concentration broke on the final ball of the 21st over. 

A fuller delivery pitched outside the off-stump line changed traction after hitting the seam and caught Labuschagne trapped in LBW dismissal. The Aussie batter dragged himself out of the field after playing 52 deliveries in which he managed to score just 2 runs. 

Slowest innings' strike rates by an Australia batter

  • Marnus Labuschagne: 3.84 SR; 2 Runs Vs India in Perth, 2024
  • Steve O'Keefe: 4.08 SR; 2 runs vs Sri Lanka in Pallekele, 2016
  • Murray Bennett: 5.66 SR; 3* runs vs West Indies, 1984
  • Ken Mackay: 5.88 SR; 3* runs vs West Indies, 1961

His 3.84 strike rate is the lowest registered in Australia’s Test history amongst batters who played a minimum of 50 balls. Not only that, but this is also the lowest run scored by Labuschagne in the first 50 deliveries. He previously scored 5 runs in 50 balls in 2023 at the Oval. At stumps on Day 1, Australia were reduced to 67/7, with 83 runs trail left to cover.

Labuschagne survives bizarre dismissal

In an interesting moment, Marnus Labuschagne and Siraj had a face-off in the third session when the batter pushed the ball with his bat, which he thought was going to hit the stumps. However, Marnus was way outside the crease, and the move was illegal per cricket rules. While Siraj confronted him, team India didn’t bother to appeal and were busy defusing the situation. However, according to the rule book, had India appealed, Labuschagne could have been adjudged out for obstructing the field.