Marnus Labuschagne sets major pink-ball Tests record

BRISBANE: Australia's enterprising batter Marnus Labuschagne on Friday became the first-ever to complete one thousand runs in pink-ball Tests.

The right-handed batter amassed the milestone during the second day of the second Ashes Test against England, underway here at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.

Labuschagne entered the fixture with 958 runs to his name in the pink-ball Tests and registered an anchoring half-century, which helped him become the first-ever batter to breach the thousand-run barrier.

The 31-year-old went on to score 65 off 78 deliveries with the help of nine fours and a six and played a pivotal role in powering Australia to acquire a handy first-innings lead over England as they finished the second day at 378/6, 44 ahead of their rivals.

Labuschagne now has 1023 runs in pink-ball Tests, coming at an average of 63.93 with the help of four centuries and five fifties.

His teammate and current stand-in captain Steve Smith is second on the list, which only features Australian and English players in its top six.

Most runs in pink-ball Tests

• Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) – 1023 runs in 10* matches

• Steve Smith (Australia) – 833 runs in 14 matches

• David Warner (Australia) – 753 runs in nine matches

• Travis Head (Australia) – 752 runs in 11 matches

• Joe Root (England) – 639 runs in eight matches

• Usman Khawaja (Australia) – 575 runs in nine matches

Furthermore, Marnus Labuschagne also completed 4,500 Test runs during his half-century in the first innings of the ongoing fixture, becoming only the 24th Australian to amass the landmark.

Labuschagne has thus far scored 4560 in 107 innings at a remarkable average of 46.53 with the help of 11 centuries and 25 fifties.