Australia will be sweating on Marnus Labuschagne’s fitness after the Queenslander damaged his little finger on day three of the series opener against Pakistan in Perth.
During the sixth over of Australia’s second innings at Perth Stadium, Pakistan debutant Khurram Shahzad produced a jaffa that jumped off a good length and struck Labuschagne on the right hand. The 29-year-old was in immediate discomfort, requiring several minutes of medical attention on the field before his innings resumed.
Labuschagne fell victim to Shahzad a couple of overs later, caught by wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed and top-edging a pull shot for 2. He continued receiving treatment in the sheds following his dismissal.
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“It didn’t look pretty,” Australian opener Usman Khawaja told Fox Cricket during the drinks break.
“Marnus is a pretty tough character. When he takes his glove off, I get a little bit worried, because he’s a pretty tough guy.
“But I think he was alright.”
The severity of Labuschagne’s injury is yet to be revealed, but if he were unavailable for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, West Australian all-rounder Cameron Green looms as his most likely replacement.
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