Tests: Marnus Labuschagne vs Babar Azam

[Ab Fan]

Babar is the more talented bloke of the two and has also hit his peak at right time( age of 25).

Labu is a bit limited player but hardworking bloke and considering that he is coming from a strong Australian setup, they know how to develop their players. So, Labu can have a great career as well.

By 2025, we should be able to tell who will end up as a better player.

 

[Saurav]

Babar is ahead as of now

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

I think he’s ahead of Marnus atm

 

[sweep_shot]

Babar wins without a question.

Marnus hasn't been tested properly yet. He mostly played in England and Australia. He needs to play in subcontinent before we can assess him further.

 

[Firebat]

Marnus has been in great form, but he's just been scoring big on home shores. Babar has been dominating around the world for the last 2.5 years.

 

[Ab Fan]

Babar is the more talented bloke of the two and has also hit his peak at right time( age of 25).

Labu is a bit limited player but hardworking bloke and considering that he is coming from a strong Australian setup, they know how to develop their players. So, Labu can have a great career as well.

By 2025, we should be able to tell who will end up as a better player.

Let's discuss this in 2025. Right now, Babar is way ahead.

 

[Pacy with wisdom]

Watching Babar just makes you feel like he is the tenda of Pakistan. Expect him to have a tremendous impact on batting culture in Pakistan.

 

[shamaan]

Babar is ahead by a mile slow been scoring in different countries

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

Labu again showing what he’s capable of. Sad to see Babar couldn’t play the match.

Given Kohli is missing the series and Smith has underperformed so far(3 innings), not long before Labu reaches number 1 in test ranking. It’ll be a well deserved one

 

[tyron_woodley]

Babar is 10 times better. Labu was slucky several times throughout the Serie.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Labu has scored 40 with so many chances. Both Smith and labu haven't impressed anyone this series!

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Babar will be the better all-format batsman but I suspect Labu will be the better Test batsman.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Let Labu play in Asia, esp India.

 

[Hasan123]

Babar will probably be the better LO player. Labuschange will be the better player in tests. And I will back Labuschange to score in more difficult situations than Babar in tests and ODIs.

 

[shamaan]

babar is better overall

Tests both will be on par
Odis babar
T20s babar

 

[Babar_Azam_fan]

It’ll depend on how the captaincy is going to affect his game.

If he can come out stronger it’ll take his game to another level. Also, Babar doesn’t have any support. It’s not easy to keep fighting all alone. Hopefully Rizwan and one of the new comers can give some cushion to Babar.

Whereas Labu plays alongside Smith and under CA (don’t need to mention the advantages of working/ playing under a professional organisation).

 

[Ab Fan]

Another good knock from Marnus, and against a good pace bowling attack. Looking quite settled and comfortable against all types of bowling.

 

[Ab Fan]

any player from SENA who doesn't perform in Asia is never going to be all time great. No way.

When I say Asia, They have to perform vs the best team I.e india and Pakistan.

I don't even think that is the case.

Most world class SENA players do well in Asia. Look at Cook, KP, Amla, AB and Clarke, all did great in Asia.

In contrast, the world class subcontinent players like Sehwag, Mahela, Yousuf and Younis often go missing in Australia and South Africa.

Also, Marnus is not hyped as much even though he is averaging over 60 in tests and did well vs a good Indian bowling attack.

 

[jnaveen1980]

His batting looks very secure. The way he leaves is funny. But very secure. He is like that steely collingwood type of determination. To back that up his own working technique (partly borrowed from Smith).

 

[angrypathan]

Scores a lot of runs, but man is he painful to watch

 

[street cricketer]

Scores a lot of runs, but man is he painful to watch

His shots themselves are quite good to watch, but it's the histrionics that come with his batting makes people want to pull their hair out..

I always remember the line when I watch him bat, "Mate if you keep that up any longer, I'll..."

 

[Varun]

Labuschagne is a total HTB. I back Babar over him.

 

[Unbiased-Fan]

Babar is already a premier batsman in world cricket. Labuschagne is better test batsman, but overall Babar is better.

 

[transparent opacity]

I feel Labuschagne will be the next big thing in Test cricket after smith.
His record is great so far almost 2000 runs in 19 matches.

 

[mastimasti]

If i'm not mistaken, they were 1 and 2 in the last WTC batting run getters chart and thats how I see it, Lamb and Babar in tests but Babar better all formats...but a long distance.

 

[Ab Fan]

Labuschagne by a mile in tests, Babar in ODIs and T20s by a mile.

The problem with Marnus is that he seems to be a Rahane type LOI player, might not fit well in a modern era LOI cricket unless ofcourse he produces some special knock in World Cup knockouts which would give him a Smith level stature in LOIs.

 

[jnaveen1980]

If he maintains his form he will be the next Steve Smith.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Labu is yet to play a test match in SC, almost all his matches have been at home.

Next year Aus is set to tour Pak, Lanka, India, 9 tests overall. Thought he rode his luck against us last time, 7-8 dropped catches by us. Eager to see him face off against Bumrah, Siraj, Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar in Motera/Wankhede.

He may still do fine in SC but that will be his real test. Smith earned his reputation by scoring 100s in India and Sri Lanka.

Babar has scored runs in Aus, Eng, looked comfortable in SA. Atm Labu's resume reads more like Mayank's if latter had played 90% of his matches at home.

 

[Ab Fan]

Labu is yet to play a test match in SC, almost all his matches have been at home.

Next year Aus is set to tour Pak, Lanka, India, 9 tests overall. Thought he rode his luck against us last time, 7-8 dropped catches by us. Eager to see him face off against Bumrah, Siraj, Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar in Motera/Wankhede.

He may still do fine in SC but that will be his real test. Smith earned his reputation by scoring 100s in India and Sri Lanka.

Babar has scored runs in Aus, Eng, looked comfortable in SA. Atm Labu's resume reads more like Mayank's if latter had played 90% of his matches at home.

Marnus averages 50 in England. He will be fine everywhere. His spin bowling will be added advantage too in subcontinent.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Marnus averages 50 in England. He will be fine everywhere. His spin bowling will be added advantage too in subcontinent.

Sample size too low.

 

[James]

Marnus is yet to be tested in a wide range of conditions but I do rate him very highly.

Babar slightly ahead at the moment.

 

[U$ofA]

Marnus averages 50 in England. He will be fine everywhere. His spin bowling will be added advantage too in subcontinent.

What is his record in BIPS?

 

[transparent opacity]

Marnus is a class player no doubt. As of now, Babar is way behind him in Tests.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Labuschagne having issues with extreme pace:

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[James]

Mark Wood is one of the first bowlers if not the first to have given Marnus a stern challenge in Test cricket consistently.

 

[Mobashir]

Mark Wood is one of the first bowlers if not the first to have given Marnus a stern challenge in Test cricket consistently.

Surely. Not many have the pace and fire of Wood.
He is probably the fastest bowler going around. Maybe Nortje can match him in pace.

 

[James]

Surely. Not many have the pace and fire of Wood.
He is probably the fastest bowler going around. Maybe Nortje can match him in pace.

England need to pick Wood in every match if possible. He can form a part of the backbone to the rebooted Test team from this year onwards.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

England need to pick Wood in every match if possible. He can form a part of the backbone to the rebooted Test team from this year onwards.

Completey agree. He has the x-factor and fitness permitting should be the first name on the team sheet.

Wood and Jofra would be a pretty terrifying pair of bowlers - Wood has got the better of Marnus and Jorfra sent Smith to the hospital with some serious pace bowling.

 

[as-95]

No comparison at all in any of the formats. Babar will likely end up as a top 3 ALL TIME ODI batsman. He is superior in T20s and Tests too to Marnus.

 

[as-95]

The only reason for Marnus' inflated test average Is that he has played 29 of his 45 innings in Australia. He averages 27 in 9 innings in Asia. Overrated player who will soon be found out...

 

[shamaan]

Had a poor tour I expected atleast 1 century.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

The only reason for Marnus' inflated test average Is that he has played 29 of his 45 innings in Australia. He averages 27 in 9 innings in Asia. Overrated player who will soon be found out...

And that too on dead flat pitches on which pretty much every batter dined out on.

His true test will come in Sri Lanka later this year when Lanka unleash 4 spinners on him in one match. Where the the pitch starts offering turn from Day 1 and playing even a single seamer feels like a formality. Sri Lanka won't be stupid enough to make pitches that don't give them the home advantage over the Australians. They'll exploit the Australians' weakness against spin ruthlessly...just as they did last time.

While I see guys like Khawaja and Smith rising to the challenge, its not going to be as easy for the HTB Labusagne.

 

[sweep_shot]

Babar is better.

His 196 was legendary.