Australia Batter Stuns Fans, Takes Hat-Trick To Send Big 'Ashes' Message
Queensland star Marnus Labuschagne has given Australian selectors a timely reminder of his capabilities, producing a stunning all-round show in the T20 Max tournament.
Marnus Labuschagne celebrated by his teammates
Queensland star Marnus Labuschagne has given Australian selectors a timely reminder of his capabilities, producing a stunning all-round show in the T20 Max tournament. Playing for Redlands, Labuschagne not only scored a century earlier in the competition but also claimed a surprise hat-trick in the final to guide his team to the title, as per Wisden. In the summit clash against Valley, Redlands batted first and posted 191/6. Labuschagne, opening the innings alongside Sam Heazlett, made 16 off 10 balls before falling to Jack Wildermuth. The star of the batting effort was Jimmy Peirson, who smashed an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls, while no other batter crossed 20.
Defending the total, Redlands had the upper hand early as Valley collapsed to 12/3 and later 32/4. A counter-attacking stand between Max Bryant (76 off 38) and Jayden Draper (26 off 23) briefly revived Valley's hopes, but once Bryant departed at 105, the chase fell apart.
Labuschagne, who had already dismissed Tighe Morris off the last ball of the 15th over, returned in the 18th to deliver the killer blow. He removed Cameron Boyce with a full toss. In the next ball, he produced a stunning googly to dismiss Tom Hallion, sealing a memorable hat-trick. Redlands won by 41-runs
Earlier in the tournament, the 31-year-old struck a brilliant unbeaten 100 off 57 balls against the University of Queensland while chasing 195, though his team eventually lost that match by four runs. In total, Labuschagne played three matches, scoring 146 runs in the tournament.
Labuschagne's international form has been under the scanner. He was dropped from the Australian Test XI earlier this year after an extended lean patch. His last international century came in September 2023 against South Africa, while his most recent Test hundred dates back to the Ashes series in July 2023.
Since his last Test ton, he has gone 16 Tests and 30 innings without a century, scoring 668 runs at an average of 24.74, with seven fifties and a best score of 90.
He hasn't crossed the three-figure mark in the last 49 international matches, with 12 fifties in his past 56 innings at an average of 28.74, having made 1,466 runs.
With the home Ashes scheduled for November 2025 and the Sheffield Shield season starting October 4, Labuschagne will be desperate to force his way back into Australia's plans.
Bruins' Jeremy Swayman faces make-or-break season: Will he rebound or crumble under pressure?
The Boston Bruins' 2025-2026 season may hinge on the performance of one player: Jeremy Swayman. After an abysmal year in 2024-2025, which saw the 26-year-old goaltender posting career-worst numbers, Swayman finds himself in a do-or-die situation. If he doesn’t rebound, the Bruins could be staring at another season in the basement of the Atlantic Division.
The struggles were undeniable last season. From missing training camp due to a financial stalemate to failing to find any consistency in net, Swayman finished with a dismal 3.11 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage in a career-high 58 games. While injuries to key defensemen like Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm certainly didn’t help, the spotlight shone brightest on Swayman’s inability to deliver when it mattered most. Add to that the criticism surrounding his $8.25 million contract, and the pressure is now at an all-time high.
For Swayman, this season is not just about proving himself to the Bruins organization. It's about proving his worth to Team USA, with a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team for the 2026 Winter Games on the line. With elite goaltenders like Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger competing for the same spot, Swayman can't afford to falter early. Any struggles could push him out of the Olympic conversation entirely.
“That's always the hardest problem with being a goalie,” Hellebuyck explained at the U.S. Olympic orientation camp. “There are multiple guys but only one net.”
Indeed, Swayman knows that if he doesn't perform, others will take his spot. But the pressure doesn't end there. Without no-trade protection on his contract until next season, Bruins GM Don Sweeney may be forced to make a decision on Swayman’s future sooner than expected.
“We have an endless belief mindset,” Swayman said, trying to stay focused on the present. “We can’t predict what’s going to happen, but the thing is that we can control what we can control, right here, right now.”
However, with backup goalie Joonas Korpisalo hardly posing a challenge to Swayman’s role, it’s clear that the onus is squarely on the young goaltender. A slow start could easily sink the Bruins’ playoff aspirations and seal Swayman’s fate.
"This season is make or break for me. I've had my fair share of struggles, but I’m not backing down. The pressure is on, and I’m ready to prove that I belong at the top. It's time to take control of my career and show the world that I’m not just the goalie of the past—I’m the future of this team," Swayman declared, putting his focus on bouncing back and earning the trust of both his team and his fans.
With a season packed with both personal and team-related stakes, this is undeniably a boom-or-bust year for the young goalie. Will Swayman rise to the challenge, or will this be the season he gets lost in the shuffle?
One thing’s for sure: Swayman’s performance will be under the microscope all year long, and his every move will be scrutinized. The future of the Bruins—and his career—could very well be determined by how he handles the immense pressure.
