Marnus Labuschagne: First Concussion Sub in Tests, 55+ Average, Australia's Best Batter Since Smith
Marnus Labuschagne is an Australian batsman born on 22 June 1994 in Klerksdorp, South Africa. He made his Test debut for Australia in November 2018 against Pakistan in Dubai. He became the first-ever concussion substitute in Test cricket history — replacing Steve Smith (hit by Jofra Archer at Lord's, 2019 Ashes) — and then scored 59 and 80 in the following Test at Headingley to establish himself as the next Australian Test batter. He finished 2019 as the highest run-scorer in the world in Test cricket. His Test average of 55+ across 60+ Tests places him as the outstanding Test batter of the 2019-2022 period alongside Joe Root and Steve Smith. He holds the record for the most Test runs scored in a single calendar year by a batter born in South Africa, and was the ICC's number one ranked Test batter for extended periods from 2020-2022.
Marnus Labuschagne was born on 22 June 1994 in Klerksdorp, South Africa. His family emigrated to Australia when he was a child and he was raised in Queensland. He made his Test debut for Australia against Pakistan in Dubai in November 2018. He is a right-hand batsman (number 3) and also bowls leg-spin. His Test debut was promising but he was not immediately established as a regular selection. The turning point came in August 2019 at the Ashes.
The Concussion Substitute — First in Test History
In the Second Ashes Test at Lord's in August 2019, Jofra Archer struck Steve Smith on the neck with a bouncer. Smith collapsed, had to leave the field, and was later confirmed to have a concussion. Under the ICC's newly introduced concussion substitute rule (introduced in Test cricket in 2019), Smith was replaced by Marnus Labuschagne — the first concussion substitute in Test cricket history. Labuschagne scored 29 runs in his substitute innings. Then, in the Third Test at Headingley — where Ben Stokes produced his famous 135 not out — Labuschagne scored 74 and 80, cementing his place in the Australian side.
2019 World's Best Test Batter
Labuschagne finished the 2019 calendar year as the highest run-scorer in the world in Test cricket. He scored 1,104 Test runs in 2019 at an average of 63.94 — the most by any batter in the calendar year. His Test average rose above 55 across 2019-2021 and he was ranked the ICC's number one Test batter for extended periods in 2020 and 2021. His style — technical, patient, high-volume, with an unusual habit of talking to himself between deliveries — drew attention. He was ICC Emerging Player of the Year in 2019. His record in Australia (where he benefits from conditions) is exceptional, but he has also performed in England and Sri Lanka.
Frequently asked questions
What was the significance of Marnus Labuschagne being a concussion substitute?
Marnus Labuschagne became the first-ever concussion substitute in Test cricket history when he replaced Steve Smith at Lord's in the 2019 Ashes. Steve Smith was struck on the neck by a Jofra Archer bouncer and was confirmed to have a concussion. The ICC had introduced the concussion substitute rule in Test cricket in 2019. Labuschagne scored 29 in his substitute innings and then cemented his place in the team with 74 and 80 at Headingley.
What did Marnus Labuschagne achieve in 2019 Test cricket?
In 2019, Marnus Labuschagne scored 1,104 Test runs — the highest total by any batter in the world in that calendar year — at an average of 63.94. He finished the year ranked the ICC's leading Test batter and was named ICC Emerging Player of the Year. This rapid rise, from the first concussion substitute in Test history to the world's best Test batter in a single calendar year, made him one of the most remarkable stories in recent Test cricket.