Labuschagne defies broken thumb in Queensland title push

Marnus Labuschagne has revealed he is playing through a broken bone and ruptured ligaments in his right thumb as he attempts to help Queensland secure a rare domestic double in the One-Day Cup and Sheffield Shield.

Labuschagne is expected to spend up to eight weeks in a brace but has continued to play despite the injury, which he sustained during the Sydney Test against England when struck on the bottom hand by seamer Matthew Potts. Australia’s five-wicket win in that match sealed a 4–1 Ashes series victory.

Initial x-rays suggested the damage was minor, but a follow-up MRI two weeks later revealed a far more serious issue. Despite this, Labuschagne has not missed a match, featuring in three Big Bash League games for the Brisbane Heat before returning to state duties in Queensland’s One-Day Cup clash against Victoria and the ongoing Sheffield Shield match at the MCG.

“There’s a few ruptured ligaments, a high-grade tear of the tendon, and then a little bit of bone came off with the tendon,” Labuschagne said after scoring 41 on day two of the Shield match.

“I love playing for Queensland. I love playing the game. We’re in a position where we can potentially win both competitions, so I felt like it was an opportunity to see if we can manage it, manage the pain, and keep playing.”

Labuschagne said Cricket Australia’s medical staff had outlined strict conditions under which he could continue playing, including batting with a protective guard and heavy strapping to prevent further damage.

“There’s some give and take there,” he said. “The main thing is making sure we don’t do any more damage. Hopefully over time, being in this brace for eight weeks allows it to heal and the ligaments and tendons to re-attach.”

The injury has altered the feel of the bat in his hands, with jarring in the bottom hand and added discomfort when defending or driving. Cross-bat shots have been less affected, although his second-innings dismissal against Victoria came when he miscued a pull shot to deep backward square leg late in the day.

Labuschagne was quick to dismiss any suggestion the injury caused his dismissal and admitted greater frustration with his first-innings exit, where he was trapped lbw after drifting too far across his stumps. He said he is still working through technical and game-plan adjustments following an Ashes series in which he made several starts without converting them into a major score.

“There’s a few things I want to address,” he said. “Today it was working really nicely, lining the ball up well and getting my head in a good position. It’s disappointing to get out the way I did with what was on the line for us.”

“I’ll keep working and make sure my game is in a place where the next opportunity I get for Australia, I’m getting that big score.”

The thumb injury has not affected Labuschagne in the field. Stationed at second slip, he took a sharp catch early on day two of Victoria’s innings.

Labuschagne’s decision to play through injury contrasts with a broader trend in Australian cricket, where several senior players have opted to rest while fully fit. Travis Head sat out parts of the BBL ahead of international commitments, while Steven Smith is unlikely to play Shield cricket for New South Wales before departing for the Pakistan Super League.

Labuschagne said he respected individual choices but felt compelled to keep playing.

“I love the game, and I’m not going to play forever,” he said. “I’ve played for Queensland, Brisbane Heat, Glamorgan and Australia. I’m loyal, I love the people I play with, and I enjoy it.

“Going back to these teams is never a chore. Playing with your mates and trying to win a Shield is enough motivation for me to keep pushing, no matter the circumstances.”