HEAT ON MARNUS AS TEST RIVALS STEP UP
THERE may have been no shortage of runs – or Test claims – in Queensland’s Sheffield Shield draw with Western Australia.
But sadly incumbent Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne missed a chance to push for retention.
While Mitch Marsh, Matt Renshaw and Joe Burns made selectors sit up, Labuschagne will be sweating on his future ahead of next month’s first Test against India after a double failure on a flat Allan Border Field deck. Defending champions Queensland are without a Shield win this season after their third round clash with the second-placed Warriors fizzled to a draw.
The match was called off early in the last session of the final day with the second last placed Bulls 2-135 in their second dig, Burns was 80 not out as the hosts led by 43.
“I am hitting the ball well. Every game is a chance to push for Australian selection,” Burns said.
WA batsman Will Bosisto was man of the match after his career-high 167 not out helped the Warriors post 540 in their first dig while Test allrounder Marsh struck 151.
Warriors skipper Marsh revelled on the benign deck to give a not-so-subtle message to selectors after being overlooked for Australia’s one-day series against South Africa following a dire Test series against Pakistan.
But Labuschagne missed out, gone for 10 yesterday to add to his first innings of 11.