Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne retired his 2023 ODI World Cup final bat on Monday (Aug 12). Taking to his official Instagram handle, the Aussie batter posted an image of the bat he used in the mega final, between India and Australia on Nov 19 last year, which was in a worn out condition with the wood scraping off it. Thus, the right-handed batter decided to retire his prized possession.
Labuschagne wrote in his Instagram post, “Think it’s finally time to retire the World Cup final bat.” Here is the post:
Also read: ‘We are devastated’: England legend Graham Thorpe committed suicide? Wife makes SHOCKING claim
Labuschagne played a crucial role in Australia beating India by six wickets in the mega finale of the 2023 ODI WC, held in India. After being asked to bat first, Rohit Sharma-led India only managed 240 in 50 overs but had Pat Cummins-led Aussies reduced to 47 for 3. Coming out to bat at No. 5, Labuschagne stitched an impressive and mammoth 192-run fourth-wicket with Player-of-the-Match Travis Head (137) to bail their side out of crisis and lead them to an emphatic win. The right-hander remained unbeaten on 58, off 110 balls, as he weathered the early storm from India’s in-form pacers Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah and ensured the scoreboard was ticking with centurion Head.
Courtesy of Head and Labuschagne, after a brilliant all-round bowling display, Cummins-led Australia beat India in the summit clash despite hosts’ 10-match winning run enroute to the final, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Labuschagne had a good run in the ODI WC, scoring 362 runs in 10 innings at an average of 40.22 and a strike rate of 70.70 including three half centuries.