- Ponting and Watson want Labuschagne in the team
- Cricket greats claim that his batting could be crucial
- Labuschagne was not selected on the original side
The selection battle for the final spot in Australia’s semi-final against South Africa in Kolkata is on – and two cricket legends want Marcus Stoinis out of the side in favor of Marnus Labuschagne.
Australia defeated Bangladesh by eight wickets in their World Cup match, with Labuschagne claiming two sensational run-outs and two catches.
He glided and bowled in one move to send Najmul Hossain Shanto on his way to 45, before displaying superman skills with a diving delivery to find Mahmudullah short on 32.
Glenn Maxwell returns to the side after resting against Bangladesh, meaning someone will be dropped for Thursday night’s do-or-die match with South Africa at Eden Gardens.
Both Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson believe it should not be Labuschagne.
The selection battle between Marnus Labuschagne and Marcus Stoinis has begun for the last spot in Australia’s semi-final against South Africa
Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson believe Labuschagne should be retained and Stoinis should be dropped
“If Steve Smith had passed his fitness test, which he didn’t, then Labuschagne was the one who missed and Stoinis stayed in the squad,” Ponting said.
“So I think Australia at the moment feels like this is their strongest team without Labuschagne in it.
“But if you actually look at the numbers in this series, he hasn’t done too badly, second top scorer… and I know the most important phase for Australia in this tournament, which they are not good at yet, is their middle-order batting. They don’t have that right and they need to fix it quickly.
“If you are going to win the World Cup, you are going to have to correct those overs from 11 to 40 because so far in the tournament they have lost 12 more wickets in that period in the tournament than what India have done. throughout the tournament, India has lost only 20 wickets at that stage.
“I probably would (keep Labuschagne). I mean, even today we have seen Australia go to the bowling of Mitchell Marsh before they used Stoinis.”
Watson believes Labuschagne’s skills would be crucial if Australia had to bowl first against South Africa.
“He’s someone who has done a really good job for Australia in this World Cup, and Marcus Stoinis hasn’t set this World Cup on fire yet either,” Watson said.
‘What we’ve seen in this World Cup is that when Australia come second in a semi-final, that period when those two new balls are swinging around, you need technically best-equipped hitters who can deal with that moving ball.
Ponting disagreed that the Australian side is stronger with Stoinis in the middle order
Labuschagne has been fortunate to play in every match during the World Cup despite not being included in the first squad
“Marnus Labuschagne, with the Test skills, he has the ability to deal with a moving ball.
“There is a chance that Australia will have to bat second under lights and they have done that very well this tournament.”
Labuschagne was not selected in the original ODI squad, but after a bizarre series of injuries, the Aussie star found his way into the squad and played in every match at the World Cup.
He has made 707 runs at 47.13 with a strike rate of 88.15, backed by some fantastic work in the field.
But with a fully fit squad to choose from for the semi-finals, Labuschagne’s lucky streak could finally be over.