Marnus Labuschagne Looking Forward To The India Series; Asserts Having More Stability In Australia's Batting Line-Up
Published - 16 Jul 2020, 05:50 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:31 AM
Australia Test batting sensation Marnus Labuschagne will have a significant role to play when the Indian team visits the land down under for a high-voltage four-Test series later this year. Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Cricket Australia has established the schedule for India’s visit and are optimistic towards fulfilling it well. Marnus Labuschagne has also asserted that their batting line-up is far more stable than the previous time.
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The previous time India visited Australia to defend their Border-Gavaskar Trophy (2018-19), the hosts found themselves bereft of David Warner and Steve Smith. It caused them to produce dismal batting performances one after the other that eventually resulted in their first series loss at home to India.
Labuschagne, who made his debut against Pakistan in October 2018, played only the last Test in January 2019 in Sydney, making 38.
Nevertheless, the 26-year-old is a different player altogether at present. The concussion to Steve Smith at the Lord’s in the 2019 Ashes witnessed the rise of Marnus Labuschagne from where he amassed 1249 runs with four centuries to his name, including a double-ton.
After the 2019 summer, the right-handed batsman broke into the top ten rankings and is currently ranked third behind Steve Smith and Virat Kohli. Marnus’ Test average of 63.43 in 14 Tests with a total of 1549 runs is also the highest amongst active players.
Marnus Labuschagne mentioned that he cannot wait for the four-Test series against India to get underway and underlined the additions of Steve Smith and David Warner as massive plus points. The 26-year old stated that having batsmen, who average above 60 and mid-40s would balance their side immensely well.
“I cannot wait for the series against India. The series will be between the number one and number two ranked sides in the World Test Championship. Having Steve Smith and David Warner is a massive win for us, one batsman averages in the 60s while the second one averages in the high forties. That will add massive balance to our side,” Marnus Labuschagne stated as quoted by ANI News.com.
Australia’s number three was also confident that they are playing better cricket at present with their batting line-up being stable having well-defined roles. He further stated that it would be a challenge for India’s bowling attack, which is one of the best in the world at present.
“I also think that we are playing better cricket now, our batting lineup is more stable now, guys understand their role, it would be a great challenge facing India’s bowling attack. India has one of the best bowling attacks in the world, if not the best,” he added.
He can swing the ball both ways; he is right up there in the rankings: Marnus Labuschagne
When asked about which bowler would be the toughest to face, the South African born highlighted Jasprit Bumrah. Labuchagne added that he can swing the ball both ways at a speed which is challenging to handle. Marnus said that it would be a contest between the two greatest pace-bowling attacks and that Australia need to be at their absolute best to beat India.
“Jasprit Bumrah with the extra pace adds a bit of value to the Indian attack, he can swing the ball both ways, he is right up there in the rankings. It would be exciting to see two great pace attacks take on each other. We would be required to be at our best to defeat India,” he added.
