'What on earth': Cricket world erupts over Marnus Labuschagne act

Marnus Labuschagne has sent cricket fans into a frenzy after snaring two wickets with medium pace in the County Championship in the UK.

The Aussie star is a world class batter who is very handy with his part-time leg-spin.

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However he decided to roll with some medium pace on Thursday for Glamorgan against Nottinghamshire in the County Championship.

Labuschagne's decision paid immediate dividends as the Aussie snared two key wickets - including the prized scalp of century-maker Ben Duckett.

Labuschagne claimed 2-11 off five overs as Glamorgan bowled Nottinghamshire out for 302 on the opening day.

Fans couldn't believe their eyes as video of Labuschagne's bowling efforts went viral on social media.

"What on earth," one social media user commented.

Others asked "what can't he do", while the County Championship's official Twitter account wrote: "All hail Marnus".

Andrew McDonald handed full-time role as Australia coach

Labuschagne's efforts with the ball will be a sight for sore eyes to new full-time Australia coach Andrew McDonald.

The former all-rounder, who played four Test matches in 2009, replaced Justin Langer on an interim basis after the Australian great's messy departure in February.

McDonald's full-time appointment on a four-year deal was confirmed by Cricket Australia on Wednesday.

The Victorian became the red-hot favourite to secure the job after leading Australia to a 1-0 Test series win in Pakistan recently.

He has also received strong public backing from the players, where Australia's leaders were reluctant to endorse Langer to extend his stay during his last months in the job.

With Australia touring less since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, international commitments are set to ramp up.

Having just completed the historic tour to Pakistan, Australia will head to Sri Lanka in June before preparing for their Twenty20 World Cup defence on home soil.

Next year's schedule involves a Test tour of India, an away Ashes series, and an ODI World Cup in India.

Despite talk of the coaching roles being split between red and white-ball cricket, McDonald wanted the job for all three formats.

However he said he will consider opting out of some white-ball tours to recharge and give other coaches a go in the top job.

"The great challenge for coaches and players is to manage your workload across the four years," McDonald said at the MCG on Wednesday.

"I'd like to think I have the coaching staff to step-up, and we can elevate certain coaches at different times to take on different tours and different challenges.

"While doing that it's only growing the depth of our coaching staff...coaches will get exposed along the journey to help out the workload which is quite significant for a head coach.

"Once it was decided that I was the preferred candidate I got a chance to sit down with Cricket Australia and the people around that to shape the role.

"It (managing the workload) was a huge part of it, no doubt it."

with AAP

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