Substitute Labuschagne stars as Australia draw second Ashes Test

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Marnus Labuschagne — who made history as international cricket´s first concussion substitute — hits his valuable fifty helped Australia draw the second Ashes Test against England at Lord´s on Sunday.

Labuschagne was not confirmed as playing until Sunday morning when Australia star Steve Smith was ruled out with concussion, having been hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer during his 92 on Saturday.

Previously, a substitute would only have been permitted to field.

But this series is the first in the ICC´s inaugural World Test Championship featuring new rules that allow replacement players to bat or bowl if they are covering for concussed team-mates.

Labuschagne responded to his late call-up by top-scoring with 59, having been hit on the grille of his helmet second ball by a 91.6 mph Archer bouncer, in Australia´s eventual second-innings 154-6.

England pressed hard late on to level the series at 1-1 after captain Joe Root declared to set Australia a stiff target of 267 in 48 overs following Ben Stokes´s 115 not out.

It seemed the match was destined for a draw, with Australia 132-3 after tea in a Test where five sessions were washed out and rain also delayed Sunday´s start by over an hour.