[Watch] Marnus Labuschagne denies Ben Duckett ton by 5 runs in ENG vs AUS 2024 1st ODI
Australian middle-order batter Marnus Labuschagne has starred with the ball twice in the ongoing first ODI against England at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The right-hander dismissed both Ben Duckett and captain Harry Brook via the caught-and-bowled method.
With Australia's bowling unit depleted, skipper Mitchell Marsh had to turn to the 30-year-old for his leg breaks. However, the South African-born cricketer struck in his first over as Ben Duckett's half-hearted shot gave the simplest of catches back to the bowler. The wicket also denied the southpaw a well-deserved century as he had to walk back for 95.
Watch the dismissal here:
An over later, he got rid of Brook, who had to depart for a brisk knock of 39. Duckett, who last played an ODI in December 2023, opened with Phil Salt. The duo stitched together a 48-run opening partnership. The most critical partnership of the lot was of 120 between Duckett and Will Jacks as they scored at an excellent clip until the latter perished for 62.
Marnus Labuschagne, along with other part-timers, restrict England to 315
After removing Duckett and Brook, Labuschagne got the better of Jofra Archer, who hit a boundary before holing out one to point. With left-arm seamer Ben Dwarshuis unable to bowl more than four overs due to an injury, Marsh had to call in the part-timers. Adam Zampa, playing in his 100th ODI, emerged as the pick of the bowlers for Australia with figures of 10-1-49-3.
Travis Head snared a couple, while Dwarshuis and Matthew Short picked up one apiece. The preceding three-game T20I series between the two sides resulted in a 1-1 draw.
With the surface assisting spin, the tourists must bat well to chase down the 316-run target. England have picked three seamers in Archer, Brydon Carse, and Matthew Potts. The lone frontline spinner is Adil Rashid. Australia had won the last bilateral ODI series played on English soil.