AUS vs NZ | Perth Day 1 Talking Points - Marnus Labuschagne’s class act and New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson worry

BySritama Panda, SportsCafe Editor

12/12/2019

After four long years, the trans-Tasman rivalry was back to Perth again. But this time, everything - the ground, the animation - courtesy Labuschagne and Smith, was new. We’re yet to see if a Rosco 290 recurrence is possible, but what we know is that the Aussies, at 248/4, are dominating at stumps.

Colin de Man for New Zealand breakthroughs

After years of toiling, Colin de Grandhomme is at least being considered as the better of the two Colin(s) in the New Zealand cricket setup. With the ‘bits and pieces’ being so frequently used in the sport recently, it’s fair to say that de Grandhomme is one of the flagbearers of it. The man who was only seen as a white-ball specialist was deemed fit for Test cricket only three years ago. But his World Cup final performance of 1/24 in 10 overs displayed what he brought to the mix, even in the game's longest format.

In the last four Test matches for New Zealand, the almost all-rounder has stepped up and found breakthroughs for the team. Not only did he break budding partnerships, but our man also maintained the pressure on the batsmen by conceding runs at an economy rate of 2 or less. The benefit is not just his but also his bowling partners who gain from the low run rate.

And here was Colin today, doing the job for New Zealand again. Amidst debutant Lockie Ferguson leaking runs and Tim Southee being unable to produce wicket-taking deliveries, de Grandhomme came in and bagged a wicket, of Joe Burns, reducing Australia to 40/1, in only his second over. A reward that the bowler, who just gave away a single run in his first two overs, received for building the right kind of pressure.

Marnus Labuschagne- the perfect No.3 in all situations

"Soft ball, not bouncing much. I'm just thinking about batting out there,” said Labuschagne(68*) at the end of the second session. It was just a testament to how well this batsman has settled into the big scene. The day Labuschagne was incorporated into the playing XI for Australia, albeit as a concussion substitute, in the 2nd Ashes Test at Lord’s, the 25-year-old settled in as a No.4 and scored a gritty 59 after coming in at 19/2. A similar eventuality occurred in the 3rd Test, at Leeds, wherein Labuschagne scored 74 and 80 after coming out to bat at situations where Australia lost two early wickets. As an underfire Khawaja was dropped ahead of the 4th Test, wherein Steve Smith made his return, Labuschagne was promoted to the No.3 position.

Now, this situation was brand new as, batting at No.3, Labuschagne was practically opening for Australia with David Warner continuing with his single-digit returns. His numbers didn’t shy away even then. And when Pakistan toured down under, he got the luxury of coming out to bat at 222/1 and he delivered even then. And coming to today’s game, he was out there attacking the New Zealand bowlers, Smith style, as the real Smith took a step back. Casually chewing his gum, and occasionally forming a bubble, he kept the animated batting alive with his Smith-like slicing the ball or the extremely well-crafted leg glance. Labuschagne, who completed 1000 career runs today, eases his spectators into watching his batting as smoothly as has eased himself as an all-situation, all-embracing batter. He remained unbeaten on 110 at Stumps on Day 1.

Is it just Lockie or are New Zealand done for the game too

With Trent Boult being ruled out ahead of the 2nd home Test against England, a major fan request for Lockie Ferguson’s Test debut was delayed and instead, Matt Henry covered for the injured bowler. But Ferguson’s debut was undeniable after Boult was deemed unfit for the 1st Test at Perth, the one that is underway. But soon Lockie’s debut turned out to be bad news for his own team. As the fast bowler kept leaking runs left and right, the pressure was off the Aussies for a while until de Grandhomme and Wagner’s strikes.

Just a few overs away from Tea, Lockie got his only chance of embracing a wicket but it was denied as Smith was dropped at second slip, one of the side effects of the D/N setup and the pink ball. By that time it was evident that the fierce and fast Lockie, who had already bowled 10 overs, had his pace worn down. Something was wrong and it was clear as Lockie didn’t return to bowl in the final session. The pacer was rushed to the hospital for scans after he sustained a recurring calf strain.

Hence Lockie was removed even before he could redeem himself in the game. It was certainly a huge blow for the visitors, who already looked small in front of Labuschagne’s heroics, who are now one pacer short in the game. This just might be the biggest sign that the game is getting out of their hands. Because, quite frankly, New Zealand can’t reach the mile with just two main pacers in a scenario where Australia are heavily packed with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood.