Marnus Labuschagne Ready for Boxing Day Test After Finger Scare, Says Perth Pitch wasn’t Dangerous 

Marnus Labuschagne has declared his fitness for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, saying it would have taken more than a broken finger to keep him out of the marquee match.

However, much to the relief of the cricketing world, scans have revealed that Labuschagne escaped any serious injury. While the finger is undoubtedly sore and bruised, there is no fracture, and the doctors have given him the green light to participate in the upcoming Test.

This is fantastic news for Australia, as Labuschagne is a vital cog in their batting line-up and his absence would have been a major blow to their hopes of clinching the series.

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The 28-year-old said he was never seriously worried about missing the Boxing Day Test, even if the scans had revealed a worse outcome.

“It was funny, Greeny messaged me on the way to getting a scan and he just said, ‘I hope it all goes well, good luck’,” Labuschagne said.

“And I said, ‘It’s not going to make a difference’. It’s gonna have to take something pretty serious I reckon to have me miss a game.”

Labuschagne proved his fitness by returning to the nets on Sunday and facing paceman Lance Morris.

“The finger’s fine. There’s no break,” Labuschagne said.

“It hit me more on the knuckle side and sort of just jammed up my hand. I was a bit nervous out there because … I’ve had a lot of finger blows but it felt a bit different.”

“It just got me in a bit of an awkward spot. There was no padding on that side of the glove. But I’ve got some really good range in it, so it’s all good.”

Assuming no last-minute setbacks, Australia looks set to roll with the same starting eleven in Melbourne, aiming to cement their historical dominance over Pakistan at home with a 16th consecutive Test victory.

While the Perth pitch’s unpredictable behavior on days three and four sent batters into a tailspin, Labuschagne doesn’t believe it posed a genuine threat.

“It was a bit of a brutal end there with the wicket’s cracks opening up,” Labuschagne said.

“I mean, no one likes batting when it’s like that – up and down, the sharp, steep bounce on a fast wicket. That’s not your cup of tea for anyone, but you just have to find a way when it’s like that.”

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“Potentially if that’s a day one wicket, there might be a few more questions asked. But I think that’s sort of what you what you get coming here (to Perth).”

“So no, I don’t think it was was reaching that (dangerous) stage, but certainly it was just one of those tough games that you get here.”

Labuschagne’s lean start in the series has ignited a fire within him. Determined to leave his mark, he arrives in Melbourne brimming with hunger for runs and a burning desire to contribute to Australia’s series victory.

His presence bolsters the Aussies’ already formidable lineup, making him a player to keep your eye on as the iconic Boxing Day Test heats up.