Marnus Labuschagne has evidently been enjoying himself with his new spinning adventures in Glamorgan - but the runs have gone missing in his first match back at his Welsh 'second home'.
On Saturday, the world's No.1 Test batter enjoyed the pleasure of a four-for with his new, unusual mix of leggies and off-spin - 4-81 being the best figures of his first-class career - against Durham.
But asked to save the day with the bat on Sunday as Glamorgan followed on, the 28-year-old who's enjoyed runs aplenty for the Welsh county endured a rare second failure in two days, following his first-innings 17 with just five as the home side stared at defeat.
In the end, with Glamorgan tottering at 6-104, the rain came to their rescue with 22 overs left as they got away with a draw in their second division clash.
In his first innings, Labuschagne had been trapped lbw by Durham's seam-bowling allrounder Ben Raine, while second time around it was his opening pace partner Paul Coughlin who grabbed one of county cricket's most prized wickets after the No.3 had faced just 11 balls.
Labuschagne is looking for a three-figure booster with the World Test final and Ashes looming, especially as he didn't reach get a ton on Australia's recent India tour, making a best of 63no in his eight Test innings.
Now in his fourth season at Glamorgan, Labuschagne is much loved at their Sophia Gardens base, having entered the season with 1719 first-class runs and six centuries in all for them in just 21 matches.
But first-time out in 2023, he shone instead with the ball, coach Matthew Maynard revealing that leg-spinner Labuschagne had been a bit nervous about unveiling his new off-spin variations for the first time in the first-class arena.
He switched between both in Durham's innings, while sending down 17.3 overs, as his Test colleague Michael Neser did most of the donkey work on Saturday, finishing with 2-81 off his 26 overs.
"It is really nice to be back at my second home. I have so many great memories, friendships, and relationships with people here," Labuschagne said before the match.
But the suspicion is he won't be completely happy until he's got another big score under his belt, with his next chance coming away at Leicestershire at Grace Road on Thursday.
