Webster’s case for a recall was building. Then Labuschagne stepped up

Detailed summary

It was with the ball that an energetic Labuschagne was unleashed, and a former Australian all-rounder believes it could trigger a resurgence.

Axed Test allrounder Beau Webster looked set and assured as he set about pushing for an Australian recall, only to fall in unlikely circumstances as stumps neared.

As bad light began to intervene, briefly forcing Tasmania and Queensland off the field on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash at the Gabba, the Bulls turned to the leg spin duo of Mitchell Swepson and skipper Marnus Labuschagne to ensure play continued.

After surviving some nervy moments early in his innings against the returning Michael Neser – who claimed figures of 2/35 in his first competitive hit-out since March due to touring commitments and a calf issue – Webster appeared to come into his own; driving well on his way to a measured 54.

Yet as he faced up to Labuschagne, himself on the Test periphery after being informed he would not be considered for the forthcoming series against New Zealand, the 32-year-old only succeeded in nicking off to Cameron Gannon at first slip.

Labuschagne backed that up when he caught and bowled left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann for six, and Gabe Bell caught behind, in the same over; his figures of 3/6 spearheading the Tigers’ collapse to be all out for 133 – still 195 runs shy of the Bulls’ first innings of 348.

“Apparently he’s been bowling a fair bit of it [leg spin] in South Africa getting ready for potentially having to do it over there if the South Africans had spinning conditions, which they did for the last Test,” Queensland coach and former Australian all-rounder James Hopes said.

“He’s sneakily a very good leg spinner; I’ve always thought that, I’ve always thought he was a very good short-form leg spinner and was probably underused in some of the teams he plays in.”

The celebrations from Labuschagne when he clinched Webster’s wicket in particular were jubilant, and had a radiating effect around the Gabba that was infectious.

“I know Marn well; you’re seeing it at training when he’s batting, you’re seeing some of the stuff that you used to see all the time starting to…

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