In a desperate bid to return to form ahead of the second Test, Marnus Labuschagne has joined a Queensland Bulls training session for a lengthy batting session.
Labuschagne spent close to an hour-and-a-half in the nets at the Allan Border Field, facing various bowlers, including deliveries from his best man James Bazley.
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Labuschagne batted in three separate nets and also faced throw-downs from Queensland coach Johan Botha.
He is the man most under pressure in Australia’s spluttering top order, having made two off 52 in Australia’s first innings disaster before an ugly dismissal late on day three where he fell over after being pinned LBW after trying to leave the ball.
After the session he spoke to Channel 7.
“It’s no different to my normal preparation,” he said.
“I’m always training hard, always trying to find that right rhythm and that right space to be in.
“We’ve got about eight days until the Test … so unfortunately it doesn’t matter until we roll out on that Day 1 wicket.”
Labuschagne was aggressive at the crease, driving confidently while also making the odd joke when he missed one.
“It’s always tough when you lose a game for Australia,” he said.
“That’s your job as a batter… we’ve got to score runs and I’ve got to score runs. That’s our job … and if we’re not doing that and not winning tests, that’s not good, is it?”
Having once averaged more than 60 in Test cricket Labuschagne has passed 10 just once in his past 10 Test innings averaging a paltry 13.66.
Australia have said they will not be making drastic changes after their harrowing defeat with Labuschagne’s spot safe for Adelaide but coach Andrew McDonald did suggest he needed to show more intent at the crease.
“We look at the way he plays, and when he’s at his best – and when we’ve seen him at his best he’s shown great intent at the crease,” McDonald said
“That’s an ongoing discussion and that ebbs and flows in players’ careers, so at the moment he’s in one of those patches.”
– With The West Australian