Labuschagne falls in avoidable fashion in first innings since axing

Striding powerfully onto the front foot and driving his former Test teammate through the covers with force and elegance, Marnus Labuschagne appeared eager to issue a statement of intent.

But his first innings since being axed from the Australian side was short-lived – dismissed mere minutes after lunch pushing for a wide cover drive off Riley Meredith to be caught behind for 12.

Facing his first ball since news of his demotion broke, the 32-year-old produced arguably his finest shot in recent memory to get off the mark with a boundary.

His victim, Beau Webster – who was also demoted from the national fold after the second Test in South Africa – had just claimed Tasmania’s first scalp in their Sheffield Shield clash with Labuschagne’s Queensland; drawing a drive from Angus Lovell and catching his outside edge for 18.

But while Labuschagne rarely looked troubled before lunch – aside from surviving a caught behind appeal that had Gabe Bell adamant he had his man – it was once again a lack of judgment, this time attacking a delivery he easily could have left, which proved his downfall.

He appeared to show little footwork in getting to the pitch of the ball, and as had been the case in South Africa when he surpassed 30 three times, had done plenty of the hard work before gifting his wicket away.

Australian chief selector George Bailey had confirmed this week that Labuschagne would not be considered for the New Zealand series at this stage, opening the door for a host of contenders to take his place at No.3.

And if his most recent dismissal, one that brought baggy green contender Jack Clayton to the crease, it appears to be a long road back for the world’s former world No.1 batsman.