Australia v South Africa 2022/23

Watch: ‘Too good, too quick’ – Marnus Labuschagne shoots down Dean Elgar’s stumps with direct hit

by Wisden Staff December 26, 2022 - 5:12am 3 minute read

Watch: Dean Elgar’s luck run out after he was dismissed thanks to a Marnus Labuschagne direct hit.

Australia’s decision to field at the MCG on Boxing Day was looking like it may backfire with South Africa 56-1 approaching the lunch break.

But the wicket of Theunis de Bruyn, followed up by the run out of Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma nicking off very next ball swung the session in favour of the Aussies.

Elgar’s dismissal in particular was the turning point as the innings of South Africa’s premier batter out here in Australia came to an end. On 26, Elgar poked the ball to Labuschagne’s right who swooped and slid to pick up the ball one handed, before throwing down the stumps whilst still on one knee.

The South Africa captain was well short thanks to Labuschagne’s fantastic piece of fielding, with the Queensland batter making a name for himself with run outs – he’s affected a total of four direct-hits this year.

Elgar had been riding his luck already in the morning session after he survived two dropped chances and a delivery from Boland that rolled onto his stumps but failed to remove the bails. Unfortunately for Elgar, Labuschagne wasn’t willing to keep Australia’s generosity going.