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Top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne reckons Australia now has a “stable” batting lineup and because of this, the upcoming Test sequence towards India can be a terrific spectacle for everybody concerned. The final time India toured Australia throughout the 2018-19 season, the Virat Kohli-led aspect registered their first Test sequence win on the Aussie soil. However, the powerhouse Australian duo — David Warner and Steve Smith — had been lacking in motion due to a year-long ban for the ball-tampering scandal.
Australia and India are slated to tackle one another in a four-match Test series this yr, starting from December four in Brisbane.
In a telephonic interview with ANI, the 26-year-old from Queensland opened up concerning the upcoming India-Australia sequence, the brand new ICC pointers, and his bond with teammate Steve Smith.
Labuschagne mentioned that India most likely has one of many “best bowling attacks in the world” in the mean time, nonetheless, with the likes of Smith and Warner again within the group, Australia can be in a way more secure place.
“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,” the right-handed-batsman spoke to ANI in a telephonic interview.
“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,” added the batsman.
When requested who can be essentially the most difficult Indian bowler to bat towards, Labuschagne replied, “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.”
The second Test of the sequence, scheduled for later this yr, at Adelaide can be a day-night Test. When quizzed about whether or not Australia would have a bonus over their visitors, Labuschagne believes in any other case.
“I don’t think Australia would have a clear advantage in the day-night Test, we have played more pink-ball Tests. The way the game is right now, people are used to adapting so I really don’t think we would have an outright advantage,” he mentioned.
The 26-year-old made his Test debut in 2018, however he could not register his presence straight away. However, he made a comeback within the nationwide squad within the second Ashes Test at Lord’s in 2019. Interestingly, he was known as in as a concussion substitute for Smith.
“Steve and I are great mates and, I have learnt a lot from him. We talk quite a bit about batting. Just by watching him play and go about his work, I have managed to pick up a few things,” Labuschagne added.
The right-handed batsman registered 1,104 runs at a formidable common of 64.94 in 2019. The stellar run continued to the succeeding yr, 2020, when he performed an innings of 215, his highest Test rating, towards New Zealand in Sydney.
However, that was solely Test match the Aussie may play because the world sports activities, together with cricket, had come to a halt as a result of international pandemic.
The younger batsman has made the world sit up and see his expertise in Tests and One Day Internationals, though, he longs to discover the shortest format of the sport. Due to the pandemic, Indian Premier League (IPL), one of the vital well-liked T20 cricket leagues, has additionally been postponed indefinitely as a result of contagious virus.
“IPL is the best T20 competition in the world, and if there is an opportunity to play in the IPL, I would definitely want to go over there and challenge myself against the best players in the world,” the Aussie mentioned.
However, his sole focus is to play for his nation as and when wanted. He is at the moment ranked on the quantity three place within the ICC Test batsmen rankings, solely behind Steve Smith and Virat Kohli.
The nation has considerably managed to curb the coronavirus, and Labuschagne mentioned that gamers in Queensland have additionally returned to full-fledged coaching with their state sides.
“Lockdown has been good. It has been a good opportunity to work on different parts of your game. It has also been a good opportunity to work on the fitness aspect as well. We have fully resumed our training in Queensland. I did not take much of a break as I really enjoy batting, I was playing a bit of cricket in the backyard so there is not much rustiness,” he added.
Australia had final performed a global match in March towards New Zealand, nonetheless, after the primary ODI, the remaining two matches had been postponed as a result of pandemic.
But many elements of the world are recovering from the havoc created by the virus, and therefore a number of world sports activities are returning again on the sphere. In the primary cricketing encounter for the reason that pandemic arrived, West Indies and England on July eight kicked off the Test sequence in Southampton.
However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has made some modifications within the sport, relating to using saliva within the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking about the identical, Labuschagne mentioned, “I really enjoyed watching the first Test between England and West Indies. I am a big fan of watching cricket, it was a great test between bat and ball, it seemed as if the ball did not swing as much over there, bowlers were not able to shine the ball with saliva so I am unsure whether that had an effect of it.”
The Aussie admits that it could be “tough” to take care of the ball with no saliva coverage in numerous circumstances.
“I definitely think not using saliva will have an effect, it is tough to maintain the ball with just sweat in tougher conditions. There needs to be a fair contest between bat and ball, there has to be something which can help shine the ball to maintain an even contest between bat and ball, I am not saying use illegal substance but you can try out something which can help the ball stay in even condition,” he added.
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Earlier right now, Cricket Australia introduced a 26-member possible record if the sequence towards England goes forward.
Both CA and ECB are at the moment engaged on a scenario to go forward with the limited-overs sequence in September this yr.
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