Nightmares for County bowlers as Labuschagne returns for two-year stay

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Cricket365
November 13, 2019

Australia’s deputy England tormentor Marnus Labuschagne will return to the County game for the next two years after the top-order batsman re-signed with Glamorgan.

The Australian, who will be available for all three formats, excelled in Cardiff last season, scoring 1,114 County Championship runs in 18 innings at an average of 65 and also claimed 19 wickets with his leg-spin.

The 25-year-old struck five centuries, including a career-best 182 against Sussex, and hit a pair of tons against Worcestershire – making him the first Glamorgan player to achieve the feat since 2005.

Labuschagne’s form saw him earn a call-up to Australia’s Ashes side as he became the Test cricket’s first concussion substitute.

He went on to perform the role of chief England frustrator in Smith’s absence remarkably well, scoring four half-centuries on his way to becoming Australia’s second highest run scorer of the series, with 353 runs and an average of more than 50.

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Labuschagne said: “I’m absolutely rapt to re-sign for Glamorgan and come back to Cardiff for another two years.

“I love the city and loved playing for the club. The boys were incredible from day one and I felt part of something special.

“The coaching staff were great and (coach) Matt (Maynard) really understood my batting and helped me to get the best out of my game. My batting improved a lot last year under his guidance and I’m excited to work him again.

“But I’m equally excited to do everything I can to help drive the team into Division One.”

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