Marnus Labuschgane and Steve Smith make Aussie cricket history

Marnus Labuschagne (pictured left) and Steve Smith (pictured right) have climbed to World No.1 and 2 on the ICC rankings. (Getty Images)

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have climbed to World No.1 and 2 on the ICC rankings to make history for Australia. Labuschagne started his summer on fire after becoming just the third Australian to score a double century and a century across two innings in the first Test against the West Indies.

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Smith also joined in on the act and scored a double century at Optus Stadium. Smith has gone from No.4 to No.2 off the back off his unbeaten knock, reclaiming a spot he last held in 2021. Labuschagne’s scores of 204 and 104 not out were enough to propel him to World No.1 for the first time since June, knocking Joe Root off his perch.

Australia has not held No.1 and No.2 ICC batting rankings since 2008 when Aussie greats Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey held the same position.

Labuschagne stared his 29th Test match with an average of 54.02. However, he will finish the Perth Test with a stunning average of 59.31. He now averages 167 at Perth Stadium.

In another win for the Aussies, captain Pat Cummins still tops the ICC bowling rankings.

Barring a horror December, Cummins is set to become the first Australian since Clarrie Grimmett to end four straight years as No.1 bowler in the world.

Smith’s return to form in particular with his remodelled technique has sent an ominous warning ahead of Australia’s massive year of cricket.

“I don’t think anyone can be more excited than him,” coach Andrew McDonald said.

“We are excited. He works hard on his game and everyone who has seen him in the back room working on his game in the nets with Diva (Michael Di Venuto) knows that.

“The amount of hours that is invested to make that change repeatable for what he’s about to embark on is incredibly impressive.

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“So we’re excited for him, he’s excited, and him and Marnus have got off to a flying start to the summer.

“Hopefully they can push each other to new limits and David Warner will want to get involved in that conversation along with a few others in that top six.”

with AAP

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