Tasmania successfully chased their target with 10 balls remaining, after the home side, Queensland, experienced a dramatic collapse, losing 7 wickets for only 70 runs following Labuschagne`s dismissal.
Tasmania 317 for 5 (Ward 105, Silk 85*, Jewell 79) defeated Queensland 311 (Labuschagne 105, Clayton 64, Chaudhary 3-66) by five wickets.
Marnus Labuschagne`s strong contention for an Ashes call-up continues to build momentum after he registered his second century within a week. However, his efforts were in vain as Queensland suffered a five-wicket defeat to Tasmania in the One-Day Cup. On Thursday at Allan Border Field, Labuschagne was the lynchpin, scoring 105 runs off 91 balls, guiding Queensland to a total of 311 runs from 45.3 overs.
In response, Tasmania successfully reached their victory target with 10 balls to spare, largely due to impressive innings from Tim Ward, who celebrated his maiden one-day century off 88 balls, supported by Jordan Silk and Caleb Jewell. Tasmania maintains an undefeated record at the top of the table (3-0), while Queensland`s standing has shifted to 2-1. Labuschagne`s latest hundred follows closely on the heels of his 160 runs off 206 balls in Queensland`s Sheffield Shield draw against Tasmania, and a solid 130 runs off 118 balls in the Bulls` One-Day Cup opener against Victoria last month.
This prolific run of form couldn`t come at a better time for Labuschagne, who is fiercely competing for a crucial top-order spot in the upcoming Ashes series.
Labuschagne is currently vying with players such as Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, Nathan McSweeney, Jake Weatherald, and Matt Renshaw for the opening partnership alongside Usman Khawaja in the five-Test series against England. An alternative strategy could see Labuschagne returning to his preferred number three position, should selectors decide against including all-rounder Beau Webster, who is currently managing an ankle injury.
During Thursday`s brilliant knock, Labuschagne struck eight fours and two sixes. He was granted a reprieve on 91 runs when spinner Nikhil Chaudhary failed to grasp a sharp return catch. Labuschagne then punished Chaudhary with a boundary behind point to bring up his century off 89 balls, but his innings concluded shortly after when he edged the spinner behind. His departure triggered a significant collapse, with Queensland losing 7 wickets for just 70 runs, squandering their strong start. Matt Renshaw, who surprisingly received an ODI call-up ahead of Labuschagne for the upcoming series against India, contributed 38 runs off 35 balls.
Labuschagne`s last Test century was recorded against England in 2023. A subsequent dip in form led to his omission from the squad for the 3-0 series victory over the West Indies. This week`s exclusion from the ODI squad further exacerbated his frustrations, but Labuschagne delivered a perfect response with his superb century on Thursday.
