Australia head coach Andrew McDonald reassured the public that there are no major concerns about Marnus Labuschagne’s recent struggles with the bat as a number three batter in the Test team. Labuschagne, who has only scored one century in his past 20 Tests, faced four consecutive single-digit scores in the format. McDonald expressed confidence in Labuschagne’s abilities despite his recent performances.
McDonald highlighted Labuschagne’s intent and energy in the second innings of the recent match at Basin Reserve, stating, “I thought in the second innings … the intent and the energy he brought to the crease – and it was only two runs, so I don’t want to get carried away – but that’s what we see when he’s at his best.” McDonald emphasized that Labuschagne’s aggressive playstyle has been effective in the past, putting pressure on the opponent’s bowling unit.
Wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey also faced criticism for his recent performances, scoring only two half-centuries in his last seven Test innings. McDonald acknowledged Carey’s disappointment with his method of dismissal in the recent match and expressed confidence in his abilities over time. McDonald believes that Australia’s batting group, as a collective unit, can improve ahead of the second Test at Christchurch.
Reflecting on Australia’s batting performance in the third innings of the previous match, McDonald noted that the team has underachieved with the bat at times, leaving games open for the opponents. Despite the team’s aggressive approach to scoring runs, McDonald emphasized the importance of reviewing their methods at the end of each game to make necessary adjustments. The coach remains optimistic about the team’s potential for improvement in future matches.
