Marnus Labuschagne is set to undergo a scan after sustaining an injury to the little finger of his right hand following Pakistan’s aggressive short-ball attack in the Perth Test, as reported by ESPNCricinfo.
Marnus Labuschagne faces a scan after being struck on his right hand’s little finger during Pakistan’s intense short-ball attack on day three of the Perth Test, as per reports from ESPNCricinfo. The injury occurred in the sixth over of Australia’s second innings from a rising delivery by debutant bowler Khurram Shahzad. Labuschagne received immediate medical attention but resumed play. However, visibly affected, he was dismissed for 2 with an awkward pull shot. Subsequently, he was seen consulting the team’s medical staff.
Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood mentioned that Labuschagne might be in discomfort, as he spent considerable time discussing and undergoing tests on the finger with the team’s doctor and physio.
Labuschagne’s potential absence in the upcoming MCG Test could see the return of allrounder Cameron Green. With 39 consecutive Tests under his belt since his induction in the 2019 Ashes series, Australia’s batting lineup might miss Labuschagne’s steadiness.
During the recent play at Optus Stadium, Australia’s top order faced a stern challenge as the pitch’s conditions intensified. Steve Smith encountered multiple blows on his arm from Shaheen Shah Afridi’s short-ball assault, requiring medical attention just before play concluded.
Hazlewood also commended Smith’s bravery, anticipating increased difficulty against short-pitched deliveries. He highlighted the challenging batting conditions and predicted amplified pitch cracks’ impact as the match progresses amid continued hot weather.
Last Updated on December 16, 2023
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