(MENAFN- AsiaNet News)

Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne made history, becoming the first batter to cross the 1,000 run mark in the pink-ball, day-night Test match history.

Labuschagne, who had nine and 51* while chasing 205 at Perth during the first Test, continued his fine run of form with a fluent 65 in 78 balls, with nine fours and a six, at a strike rate of over 83.

Labuschagne's Pink-Ball Prowess

The Aussie batting star is the most prolific batter in pink-ball Test history, with 1,023 runs in 10 Tests and 16 innings at an average of 63.93, with four centuries and five fifties and a best score of 163. At second place is Steve Smith, his teammate and a long-time batting partner, with 876 runs in 14 Tests at an average of 38.08, including a century and six fifties in 25 innings, with a best score of 130.

Ashes Record

Now in 16 Ashes Tests, Labuschagne has scored 1,141 runs in 29 innings at an average of 42.25, with two centuries and nine fifties, with a best score of 111.

Brisbane Test Update

England's Innings

Coming to the Brisbane Test, England, who had opted to bat first, started the day at 325/9 and ended bundled out at 334 runs in 76.2 overs, with Joe Root, who cracked his maiden Test ton in Australia (138* in 206 balls, with 15 fours and a six) and Zak Crawley (76 in 93 balls, with 11 fours) leading the scoreboard. Left-armer Mitchell Starc, who surpassed Pakistan icon Wasim Akram to become the most successful left-armed pacer in Tests, was the pick of the bowlers with 6/75, with Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland and Michael Neser getting one wicket each.

Australia's Reply

In their first innings, Australia started off strongly with a 77-run opening stand between Travis Head (33 in 43 balls, with three fours and a six) with Jake Weatherald, who scored a fierce 72 in 78 balls, with 12 fours and a six, forming a fine 69-run stand with Labuschagne as well. Another fifty stand followed between Labuschagne and Steve Smith (61 in 85 balls, with five fours and two sixes), and a 95-run stand came between Cameron Green (45 in 57 balls, with seven fours) and Smith. Brydon Carse (3/113) and Ben Stokes (2/93) struck quickly, reducing Australia to 329/6, but Alex Carey (46* in 45 balls, with five fours) and Neser took the Aussies to 378/6 and a lead of 44 runs.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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