![Marco Jansen on his face-off with Marnus Labuschagne [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792647795963_MarnusLabuschagneMarcoJansenSAvsAUS.jpg?type=hq)
Marco Jansen on his face-off with Marnus Labuschagne [Source: AFP]
Marco Jansen was all over Australia in Gqeberha, with both bat and ball, putting South Africa back in the series. Following up his 85 off 100 on Day 3, he ripped through the Aussie batting and claimed his fifth five-fer in Tests.
With his all round performance, Jansen made sure South Africa remained in the series, despite a dramatic first innings collapse. He also had some interesting encounters with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the game and revealed some old stories about their battles.
Jansen on sledging Marnus and Smith
One of the features of Jansen’s fierce bowling was the constant chatter and stare-down with the likes of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, trying to intimidate the visitors. He spoke about what made him sledge the Aussies and revealed stories from his first tour of Australia.
During the post-stumps presser on Day 4, Jansen talked about South Africa’s 2022 tour of Australia, wherein the Aussies were at the top, and Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith made it difficult for him to focus, with constant sledges.
“Oh, Marnus and Steve both of them. Let me tell you a backstory. The first time when I went to Australia [in 2022], playing them for the first time, I didn’t know what to expect, so like their nuances and how they did things. It [sledging] can get under your skin.”
“Watching them on TV, looking at the way they go about their business, it’s a fun way of playing a game within a game. It’s not like a mental thing, but it’s funny sometimes when they’re batting together. It’s quite tricky and you sort of get distracted.”
“Marnus is a fierce competitor and you have to be at your best to firstly restrict him and then to get him out. That’s just us having fun,” he concluded.
Gqeberha set for box-office Day 5
The must-win 2nd Test for South Africans is poised for a box-office Day 5 finish, after the visitors were asked to follow-on on Day 4 after being bowled out for 99. They conceded a 326 run lead for South Africa, and despite Anrich Nortje's injury, Temba Bavuma asked the Aussies to bat first.
Ahead of the final day, Australia are 156/4, with Steve Smith still to bat. Marnus threw away his wicket at 39(98) to Simon Harmer, trying to attack him, as Jansen took a high catch in breeze They trail by 170 runs and will play for survival, while Marco Jansen and co. will look to claim a win to level the series.
