English cricket nice Kevin Pietersen has questioned the “mindset” of battling Aussie participant Marnus Labuschagne following a pedestrian debut as Take a look at opener.
Labuschagne was known as on to associate Usman Khawaja on the prime of Australia’s order for the World Take a look at Championship remaining towards South Africa at Lord’s.
He beat young tyro Sam Konstas to the job – a variety that sparked debate.
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Labuschagne confronted 56 balls earlier than nicking off to Marco Jansen for 17, at a strike fee of 30.36.
It took Aussie famous person Steve Smith simply 28 deliveries to affix Labuschagne on 17 – who had confronted 49 on the time – and that was when Pietersen famous the distinction between the pair.
“You see a variety of leaving from Marnus… Steve Smith is just not going to allow you to go, and that is why he is likely one of the nice gamers,” Pietersen stated in commentary.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne walks off the sector after shedding his wicket. AP
“Simply on Marnus right here, it’s really fairly irritating to look at.
“He has the flexibility to hit the ball rather well if his physique goes in direction of the ball, if his head goes towards the ball.
“I simply assume it is a mindset. He has the flexibility, he has the eyes, he has the method, however I simply assume he wants to vary the best way he is considering in the intervening time.
“Batters are on the market to attain runs, you are not on the market to depart the ball all day.
“You may bowl to that. If somebody is simply trying to depart (the ball) you’ll be able to work him over. Evaluating that to somebody like Steve Smith – in case you miss your line, miss your size, he smacks you for 4.”
Smith had simply flicked one off his pads to the boundary, earlier than smacking a canopy drive previous one other fielder for 4.
The dynamic scoring capacity of the gun No.4 was in distinction to Labuschagne, who left or defended virtually each supply and struggled to seek out runs.
South African legend Shaun Pollock defined why bowlers would relish having Labuschagne on the finish of the pitch.
“It is fascinating they have not put a leg slip in for him, which suggests they are not going to assault the stumps, they’re simply going to hover exterior off stump,” Pollock stated.
“If he is simply going to depart it, it sort of makes that job quite a bit simpler for you.”
Fellow Proteas legend AB de Villiers may discover some positives within the Labuschagne innings.
“Marnus was transferring exceptionally properly,” de Villiers stated after the right-hander was dismissed.
“He is been very decisive, and that is an enormous wicket.”
Labuschagne’s place within the Take a look at group has been questioned for a number of months.
He averaged above 70 early in his Take a look at profession, however his type has declined to the purpose he will probably be fortunate to make the group for the summer time’s Ashes sequence.
Marnus Labuschagne of Australia leaves the sector after being dismissed by Marco Jansen. Getty
His profession Take a look at common stays a world class 46.45 however in his final 20 matches he averages a measly 28.00 – type that will get a variety of gamers axed.
He hasn’t scored a century in 30 Take a look at innings, and has just one to his identify since December 2022.
His type at home degree has additionally been abysmal this yr – in 4 matches for Queensland and Glamorgan he averages 18.50.
Australia’s center order is wanting shored up with Cameron Inexperienced again wholesome, Smith at No.4 and the rookie Beau Webster slotting in properly behind the grasp blaster Travis Head.
Usman Khawaja’s profession is winding down however a double century in Galle a number of months in the past means he will not be getting dropped any time quickly.
Konstas is properly and really respiration down Labuschagne’s neck as selectors sit up for a three-Take a look at sequence towards the West Indies beginning later this month.
