Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke believes that Marnus Labuschagne can score a century in the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test against India. Michael Clarke said that Marnus Labuschagne hasn’t scored as many runs as he would like, but he can bat with more confidence in the next Test match.
Marnus Labuschagne faced criticism after scoring just 2 and 3 in the Perth Test match. The right-handed batter played a gritty 64-run innings in the Adelaide Test against India, where Australia secured a 10-wicket victory. He showed resilience in challenging conditions and helped Australia secure a crucial 157-run lead.
Marnus Labuschagne’s stellar knock in pink ball test puts Australia on level with India in BGT 2024-25
The ongoing IND vs AUS Test series has produced some iconic battles between the bat and ball so far. Both the teams have been on the winning and the losing side and the contest is expect to heat up even more with three Test matches remaining. This ongoing edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy comes in at a very crucial juncture as both the teams look to seal a spot in the World Test Championship finals. Australia are on the second spot and India on the third, but every victory and loss in the series can flip the table.
Both the two teams have experienced contrasting futures in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. India defeated Australia by 295 runs in the opening Test match that was played in Perth. Australia on the other hand were quick to respond as they levelled the series 1-1 with an emphatic win at the Adelaide Oval. Aussie batter Marnus Labuschagne who had been dealing with a bad run up until the Pink Ball Test match played a crucial role in Australia’s series levelling victory.
Former Australian cricketer David Warner who is now a part of Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series’ official broadcasting team was a bit critical about Marnus Labuschagne’s form and said that he was not playing to his potential. ‘I’m still not convinced with Marnus. I don’t think that was anywhere near what we know he’s capable of’, said Warner.
Marnus Labuschagne scored a stellar 64 off 126 balls and joined forces with Nathan McSweeney and Travis Head to help Australia get a match-winning lead of 150 runs. Australia’s 2015 ODI World Cup winning captain Michael Clarke defended Labuschagne and said that the fifty in Adelaide was just the calm before the storm.
Michael Clarke prediction on star Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne ahead of BGT 2024-25 3rd Test
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has predicted that Marnus Labuschagne is not far away from a big knock. The comments came after his gritty display against the Indian bowlers with the pink ball in the second Border-Gavaskar series Test at the Adelaide Oval.
The right-hander entered the series amid intense scrutiny and had received flak for his dismal set of displays in the first Test in Perth. With a promising record in Adelaide Oval, and in day-night Tests, Marnus Labuschagne bounced back with 64 runs off 126 deliveries, surviving a tough phase of play late on Day 1 under the lights against Jasprit Bumrah and company.
The fifty has eased some pressure off Marnus Labuschagne’s back, given that Sam Konstas is not far away from being considered by the selectors.
Former Australia opener David Warner, however, was left unconvinced by Marnus Labuschagne’s display:
“I’m still not convinced with Marnus. I don’t think that was anywhere near what we know he’s capable of,” Warner said on Fox Sports (via Hindustan Times).
In response, Michael Clarke came in defense of Marnus Labuschagne, citing that the fifty in Adelaide was the start from where the batter could look to bounce back.
“I thought that the way he found a way to get through that first night was exceptional. I don’t think India got their line and length right, like they did in Perth. They were a fraction short, and a fraction wide. But, Marnus deserves a lot of credit. So does McSweeney. I think the way they let the ball go, they held their line in defence,” Clarke said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket show.
“He has not scored as many runs as he would like, so it’s never going to look perfect first up. I think generally, as a batter, if you can scratch yourself to a half-century or a sixty or a seventy, you take that. Because then the next innings is the one where you start to feel a bit more confident, more balls are hitting the middle of the bat. So, don’t be surprised if he walks out in Brisbane and makes a big and important hundred,” Clarke added.
Marnus Labuschagne began the year on a promising note, recording twin fifties against Pakistan. However, he lost his form since then, enduring a poor set of series against the West Indies and New Zealand.
Michael Clarke positive on Labuschagne’s return to runs
While criticizing Labuschagne, Warner also pointed out that the No.3 batter tends to lose his wicket similarly after being set. In the second Test against India, Labuschagne perished while attempting a cut, only for Yashasvi Jaiswal to take a sharp catch at gully.
“Davey makes a point, he was not at his best, and if he is going to get caught at gully averaging 50 or 60, I’m okay with that,” Clarke concluded.
Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith have struggled in the series so far, with top scores of 13 and 17, respectively. Mitchell Starc recorded his career-best figures in the first innings, and Pat Cummins claimed a five-wicket haul in the second innings. With Nathan McSweeney settling in after a nervous debut and Travis Head in destructive form, Australia’s batting lineup looks stronger for the upcoming match. With the series tied at 1-1, the third Test will begin in Brisbane on Saturday, December 14.
The third Test between India and Australia is scheduled to begin on Saturday, December 14, onwards at The Gabba in Brisbane. After a drubbing by 295 runs in Perth at the hands of India, nobody had expected Australia to bounce back in such a dominant fashion. Australia’s victory in Adelaide was a statement and they will look to replicate their heroics even at the Gabba, Brisbane.