Cricket-Australia's Labuschagne relieved after being cleared for second test

FILE PHOTO: Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - Final - India v Australia - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - November 19, 2023 Australia's Marnus Labuschagne celebrates after winning the ICC Cricket World Cup REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - With Cameron Green eager to break back into Australia's starting XI, Marnus Labuschagne felt a rush of relief when he was cleared to play in the 'Boxing Day' test against Pakistan after taking a nasty blow to his pinky finger in the hosts' series-opening win.

Labuschagne needed medical attention after being struck on the right hand by debutant Khurram Shahzad early in the second innings in Perth before top-edging the Pakistan quick to be out for two.