Spin could be key in Townsville ODIs: Marnus

Marnus Labuschagne is expecting spin to play a big role in Australia's upcoming ODI series against Zimbabwe that begins in Townsville on Sunday. 

Labuschagne has more experience than most playing at Riverway Stadium, having featured at the venue three times in his career. 

The right hander has played one List A match and two Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland at the ground, with a more-than-handy record of 337 runs at an average of 84.25 across his five innings.

Image Id: E0489CE4D4864F68B88F8D05945E9319 Image Caption: Labuschagne training in the Townsville nets

During the Bulls' Shield victory over Tasmania last summer it was spin, not pace, that proved the difference.  

Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja and Matthew Renshaw all scored centuries in Queensland's first innings before Matthew Kuhnemann took five wickets in each innings in the home side's 96-run win. 

"The ground's great. I don’t think I've lost here yet, I've got three wins from three games," Labuschagne told reporters at the launch of the Dettol ODI series. 

"We (Queensland) played here last year and the track was quite good. 

"We ended up beating Tasmania in both the one-dayer and Shield game. 

"It did a little bit early but it was actually really good for the spinners…that was for Shield cricket so I think this wicket will be slightly flatter."

Despite that prediction, statistics show that facing spin isn't straightforward at Riverway Stadium in List A cricket either.

From the four Marsh One-Day Cup matches played there since 2018, pace bowlers average 30.56 runs per wicket compared to spin's 34.08. 

But spin has conceded only 5.25 runs per over to pace's 5.81. 

Labuschagne, who is known to shift between medium pace and leg-spin when given the opportunity with the ball, said there was a clear winner if given the nod by captain Aaron Finch.

"Definitely spin," he said.

"Definitely here. Matt Kuhnemann took 10-for so I think that's the way to go."

Australia have two spinners in their squad, with Ashton Agar returning from a side injury he sustained in Sri Lanka and Adam Zampa returning to the squad following the birth of his first child, Eugene. 

Zimbabwe also have plenty of options in the spin department, with allrounders Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Tony Munyonga and Ryan Burl likely to get plenty of overs to assist the frontline quicks. 

And Labuschagne has been doing his homework on the African nation, who came close to upsetting India in their most recent ODI earlier this week.

"That's one thing you realise about the game now, the game's growing so fast," Labuschagne said. 

"Guys are improving rapidly. Teams like Zimbabwe, Netherlands and Ireland … they are highly skilled teams now and you should never underestimate them."

"I watched a few of their game reviews from (Zimbabwe's matches against) India and they were really good. 

"We've got a little bit of that footage to look back on and make sure we stay on top of and get a view on where their strengths have been in the last few one-day games.”

Men's Dettol ODI Series v Zimbabwe

Sunday Aug 28: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Wednesday Aug 31: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Saturday Sep 3: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Australia squad: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Zimbabwe squad: Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (c), Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

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