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Justin Chadwick

Perth wicket wasn't a danger, says battered Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne says he was never in doubt for the Boxing Day Test despite a damaged finger. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Marnus Labuschagne says it would have taken more than a damaged finger to rule him out of the Boxing Day Test, and he doesn't hold any grudges against the cracking Optus Stadium wicket.

Labuschagne was sent off for scans on his right little finger on Saturday night after being struck by debutant Pakistan paceman Khurram Shahzad.

The cracking wicket created all sorts of problems for batters on days three and four.

Steve Smith was struck twice, Usman Khawaja sustained a painful blow just below his right elbow, and Mitch Marsh was twice hit on the helmet.

Pakistan were rolled for just 89 in the second innings as the ball wildly jagged and bounced, handing Australia a whopping 360-run win and a 1-0 lead in the series heading into Melbourne.

Labuschagne was cleared of any fracture, guaranteeing he will be fit for the Boxing Day Test.

It also means allrounder Cameron Green is unlikely to find a way back into the XI just yet.

Labuschagne hinted that even if his scans had come back worse than they did, he would have played the Boxing Day test anyway.

"It was funny, Greeny messaged me on the way to getting a scan and he just said, 'I hope it all goes well, good luck'," Labuschagne said.

"And I said, 'It's not going to make a difference'. It's going have to take something pretty serious I reckon to have me miss a game."

Labuschagne proved to himself that he was all good to go by returning to the nets on Sunday to face firebrand Lance Morris.

"The finger's fine. There's no break," Labuschagne said.

"It hit me more on the knuckle side and sort of just jammed up my hand.

"I was a bit nervous out there because ... I've had a lot of finger blows but it felt a bit different. 

"It just got me in a bit of an awkward spot. There was no padding on that side of the glove. 

"But I've got some really good range in it, so it's all good."

Marnus Labuschagne.
Labuschagne said he didn't consider the Perth pitch dangerous, despite being struck on the hand. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Barring late injuries, Australia will field an unchanged XI in Melbourne as they attempt to extend their home winning streak against Pakistan to 16 Tests.

The unpredictability of the Optus Stadium pitch on days three and four created havoc for batters, but Labuschagne didn't think it was a dangerous surface.

"It was a bit of a brutal end there with the wicket's cracks opening up," Labuschagne said.

"I mean, no one likes batting when it's like that - up and down, the sharp, steep bounce on a fast wicket.

"That's not your cup of tea for anyone, but you just have to find a way when it's like that.

"Potentially if that's a day one wicket, there might be a few more questions asked. 

"But I think that's sort of what you what you get coming here (to Perth). 

"So no, I don't think it was was reaching that (dangerous) stage, but certainly it was just one of those tough games that you get here."

Labuschagne is hungry for runs after posting just 16 and two in the series opener.

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