Australian batting sensation Marnus Labuschagne has found a novel way of fine-tuning his skills amid the ongoing lockdown, using a backyard matting set-up and his pet dog to get some batting practice.
Earlier this week, Labuschagne was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year, a title that acknowledged his golden run of form for Australia over the last summer. He currently boasts a career Test average of 63.43, the best ever after Don Bradman, for anyone who has played at least 20 innings.
Now, stuck inside the confines of his house due to the lockdown, Labuschagne is grateful to have some batting company, with one of his best friends also isolating with them.
“I’m lucky enough that I’ve actually got one of my best mates living with me at the moment,” Labuschange told SEN Radio. “He’s in isolation with me. So me and him are getting a few throwdowns, and doing a bit of training.”
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And it isn’t just his friend who is doubling up as his training partner; Labuschagne’s dog is dutifully playing the role of a wicket-keeper, as seen in a video posted by the 25-year-old batsman recently.
“That’s about as much cricket as I’m getting … a taped-up tennis ball in the backyard with a dog thrower. I’m playing a little bit of tennis, where it’s allowed with the isolation rules, to get my fitness in.”
