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 referred to as on to accomplice 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 range that sparked debate.
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Labuschagne confronted 56 balls earlier than nicking off to Marco Jansen for 17, at a strike charge of 30.36.
It took Aussie celebrity 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 lots of leaving from Marnus… Steve Smith isn’t going to allow you to go, and that is why he is without doubt one of the nice gamers,” Pietersen stated in commentary.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne walks off the sphere after shedding his wicket. AP
“Simply on Marnus right here, it’s truly fairly irritating to look at.
“He has the power to hit the ball very well if his physique goes in direction of the ball, if his head goes towards the ball.
“I simply suppose it is a mindset. He has the power, he has the eyes, he has the method, however I simply suppose he wants to vary the best way he is pondering for the time being.
“Batters are on the market to attain runs, you are not on the market to go away the ball all day.
“You possibly can bowl to that. If somebody is simply trying to go away (the ball) you’ll be able to work him over. Evaluating that to somebody like Steve Smith – for those who 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 nearly 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 attention-grabbing they have not put a leg slip in for him, which suggests they don’t seem to be going to assault the stumps, they’re simply going to hover exterior off stump,” Pollock stated.
“If he is simply going to go away it, it sort of makes that job lots simpler for you.”
Fellow Proteas legend AB de Villiers may discover some positives within the Labuschagne innings.
“Marnus was transferring exceptionally nicely,” 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 workforce 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 workforce for the summer season’s Ashes sequence.
Marnus Labuschagne of Australia leaves the sphere 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 may get lots 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 couple of months in the past means he will not be getting dropped any time quickly.
Konstas is nicely and really respiration down Labuschagne’s neck as selectors stay up for a three-Take a look at sequence towards the West Indies beginning later this month.
