Why Marnus Labuschagne can’t let go of Grade Cricket and the EPIC sled he sent his club captain

He is the world’s top batsman, has to prepare for tours to India and England and currently plays for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League. But the cricket tragedy Marnus Labuschagne still won’t let go of the grade competition.

While most players have bigger things in mind, international Labuschagne still feels close ties to his club Redlands in the Brisbane competition.

And the Aussie No.3 Test batsman – known for his constant chirping on the field – still has time for some cheeky sleds for his old club.

During a recent interview with Channel Seven, Labuschagne revealed how he couldn’t resist sledding his top-flight cricket captain after going out.

“How is your relationship with club cricket, especially now that you are a world-class batsman? You can let Club Cricket go if you want,” Labuschagne was asked.

“My goodness, you would think so [let grade cricket go]. But then on Saturday I was on the phone watching the mighty Redlands play Souths against Souths on the live stream on YouTube,” laughed the Australian cricketer.

“I sat there for two hours, watched the live stream, phoned the club trainer and the club skipper.”

Marnus Labuschagne regularly takes the time to check in with his top-flight cricket side, the Redlands in Brisbane, and enjoys watching their matches on live stream

And when the Redlands captain was out of the running, Labuschagne couldn’t resist picking up the phone and attacking him straight away.

“The skipper was grilled, just went out, and I sent him gifts to be grilled, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle.

“Leigh Drennan, he’s the skipper, he got grilled by our opening batter and he was dirty so I just stirred him up.”

It wasn’t long ago that Labuschagne had a mishap himself, resigning his wicket to allow opening batsman David Warner to win 200 against South Africa in the second Test.

The Queenslander saw no humor in being “grilled” in this instance.

“He’s dirty, both his clothes and probably at this stage his mind. It’s a real bonus wicket for South Africa,” former South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock said in a comment.

Labuschagne is played at Melbourne Cricket Ground on the second day of the second Test match in the series between Australia and South Africa

The Australian batsman can’t believe it as he watches the replay on the big screen which confirms he was too close

“Warner running between the wickets is absolutely brilliant, the intensity he brings, but you have to get everyone on the team on the same page running with him.

“It’s difficult to get people to think like that… We used to have the same problem with Jonty Rhodes.

“Every now and then you have to remember that it’s a cricket match and not an athletics event.

A dirty Labuschagne trudges off the field as soon as it is confirmed he went cheap in the second friendly against South Africa

“It gave South Africa a goal they needed so badly and gave them a little momentum.

“You can see how distraught Labuschagne is, 14 runs, felt like he was settling down but he needs to get going.”