The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Supersub up for more ‘all guns blazing’ action
Australia’s supersub Marnus Labuschagne has opened up about becoming Test cricket’s first concussion replacement, revealing he went from “helpless” onlooker to “all guns blazing”.
Labuschagne was drafted in to the team on the fifth morning of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, stepping in for Steve Smith after he was diagnosed with a delayed concussion.
The man whose 92mph bouncer left Smith nursing his head injury, Jofra Archer, was bowling when Labuschagne took the crease and it took just two balls for the paceman to floor the incoming batsman with another fierce bumper to the helmet.
The 25-year-old was immediately going through the same on-field concussion testing Smith had 24 hours earlier but came through unscathed and went on to top score with 59 as the tourists held on for a draw.
He said: “Personally, being out there is probably less nerve-racking than being off the field. When he got hit, I had a bit of a sick feeling, you’re kind of helpless. But when you’re out there, the adrenaline is rushing so pretty much all you’re doing is trying to watch that ball.
“When you’re off the field, your hands are tied. It’s a little bit of a shock to the system but when you’re out there, it’s all guns blazing.”
Labuschagne batted with enough resolve and poise to justify a place in the Australia side for the third Test on Thursday, regardless of Smith’s fitness.
If selected he will be well aware of the challenge ahead, having been welcomed to the Ashes in the most punishing way imaginable.
“It got me flush in the grille but it was just ‘get up and get on with it’,” he said of the ball that sent him sprawling.
“You get up and try to act cool. I think what it does do is it makes you (switch) on. It means there is no mucking around.
“You’re watching the ball and you’re trying to work as hard as you can to see that ball as early as you can. That’s the benefit of facing someone that fast in your first few balls.
“It’s our job as batters, we’ve got to find a way to score off those balls or get out of the way.”