SA vs AUS 2023 | Labuschagne, Warner Power-Show Propels Australia To A Massive 392
David Warner celebrating his Hundred (Source: X/CA)
The dream run continued for the South Africa-born Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne, who struck his second ODI century in the One-day format and gave a massive statement to the selectors after being left out of the provisional World Cup squad. This happened after he was drafted into the XI as a concussion substitute to Cameron Green and amassed a fighting 80, helping his side to victory in the first game.
Starting off with the dynamic left-handed duo of David Warner and Travis Head started the innings with a blast, smashing 100 inside the first 10 overs with runs flowing left, right and centre for the Aussies. Head was playing exceptionally well until he holed out to David Miller at mid-on, who took an excellent flying catch to send the batter back for 64.
It was Tabraiz Shamsi who bagged a wicket in his first over of the game, and it didn't take him long enough to get another one as in-form skipper Mitchell Marsh was dismissed on the very next delivery, sending Australia a sign of caution.
However, Labuschagne came in and showed his true colours with the bat as he didn't let the high-flying Shamsi settle, who constantly tried to unsettle him with some words after every delivery he bowled. At one stage, Marnus found a couple of boundaries in one over on multiple occasions against the chinaman spinner and continued the onslaught to other bowlers.
On the other hand, Warner didn't back down as he found runs in the middle stages of the game, reaching his 20th ODI century in style with a four. At this point, the visitors were 232 with just two down while there were still 20 overs left to be bowled.
However, Warner lost his wicket soon after as he was cleaned up by Andile Phehlukwayo with a ball that stayed a bit low. But even this didn't stop the Kangaroos from going big because the incoming batter, Josh Inglis, took on the African bowling attack with a 37-ball 50 that caused some severe problems for the home side.
He came and went back in a flash, but Labuschagne maintained his ground and, meanwhile, completed his century.
Australia were cruising towards 400 at one stage, but the dismissal of these two batters caused a bit of a halt in the run flow as, in no time, they were 369 for eight down inside 48 overs.
A few runs down the order took the five-time World Champions to 392, which they will be confident of defending with the kind of bowling line-up they have.
Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets to his name while giving away just 61 runs, as he was the most economical for his side.