Marnus Labuschagne handed unlikely lifeline in bid to retain spot for second cricket Test
The struggling Aussie batter has been offered a spot in his grade cricket club.
The president of Marnus Labuschagne's local cricket club has told Yahoo Sport Australia they'd happily take him if he wants a hit-out this weekend. He might be feeling the heat from fans following Australia's first Test debacle against India, but under-fire batsman Labuschagne has been offered a comforting arm around the shoulder back in club cricket.
Labuschagne's Queensland grade club Redlands has left the door open for his return on Saturday should he wish to have a hit in a bid to restore form and confidence ahead of the day/night second Test in Adelaide. Redlands' offer comes after former England captain Michael Vaughan suggested the 30-year-old could benefit from a return to club cricket following a horror run of outs.
Labuschagne scored just two and three as India dismantled the Australian top order in both innings enroute to an emphatic 295-run win in Perth on Monday. The Queenslander has scored just 123 runs in his last 10 Test knocks at a paltry average of 13.66. Once a run machine at No.3, Labuschagne looks all at sea with his footwork and technique and is running out of chances to retain his spot in the side.
Speaking on Fox Cricket, Vaughan said: "It will be interesting to see what they do between the (first and second Test). I just wonder if Marnus Labuschagne, is it worth him going to play some grade cricket at the weekend? Get out there and hit a few balls rather than arriving in Adelaide and facing the pink ball … is it worth him just going back to his roots and playing a bit of grade cricket.”
Marnus Labuschagne offered clubland return
Redlands president Sean Lloyd told Yahoo Sport Australia his club is open to the idea should Labuschagne feel the need to spend some time in the middle. "We understand there are a lot of comments circling around the Australia Test team, in particular the batting group and Marnus," Lloyd said.
"Marnus is all class and has the full support of myself and his mates here at Redlands Tigers Cricket Club. He regularly utilises our facilities when not touring, which is his choice to assist in his preparation, and that door always remains open. Whether he wants to play in a first grade game is up to him. It’s quite common to see Marn play some first grade at the beginning of the Queensland cricket season. Marn will always find a way and turn adversity into an advantage and rise to the top, that’s simply who he is."
Labuschagne, who has been at Redlands since his teens, would be guaranteed a bat with the club's clash with Northern Suburbs reduced to a limited overs fixture after rain washed out play on day one. The Adelaide Test begins on December 6.
