Aus vs NZ: Marnus Labuschagne scores 4th ton in 5 Tests, gets bear hug from Steve Smith

Australia's new batting sensation Marnus Labuschagne continued his purple patch as he scored yet ar Test century in ongoing third Test against New Zealand at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday. Former captain Steve Smith also went on to register a half-century. duo is still going strong after stitching a 100-run partnership.

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pair are looking to furr compound misery on Kiwis after captain Kane Williamson was one of four players ruled out through injury or illness. Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner are also out sick, while left-arm pacer Trent Boult is already back in New Zealand after fracturing his hand in ir loss at MCG. Tim Soue was fifth player to be overlooked, as New Zealand had concerns over his workload in ir opening two losses in three-match series. It left Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme as Black Caps' only two bowlers surviving from MCG, with Matt Henry playing as  or quick.

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Aus vs NZ: Marnus Labuschagne brings up yet ar ton

Wagner has been by far New Zealand's best bowler, again slowing down Smith with short-pitch bowling and legside fields. Smith took 39 balls to score his first run, which was longest wait of his career to get off mark but he began to look more comfortable before tea interval. Wagner also removed David Warner for 45, again with a short ball that barely bounced as Aussie opener guided it to de Grandhomme at leg gully. It marked fourth time he has taken his wicket this series. De Grandhomme got or wicket, drawing an edge from Joe Burns (18) to first slip.

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But Marnus Labuschagne has had such trouble against Black Caps, who are being captained by Tom Latham for first time. 25-year-old Labuschagne already has scores of 185, 162 and 143 in his breakthrough summer, with his only total below 50 being when he was run out for 19 in second innings in Melbourne. He has looked pretty comfortable against newly-picked spinners Will Somerville and Todd Astle. Meanwhile, at time of writing this article Aussies were 251/2 with Marnus Labuschagne batting on 107* and Steve Smith on 62*.  

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