- Marnus Labuschagne looked sharp in the nets
- Aussie Test star has suffered a dip in form recently
- He is under a lot of pressure to keep his place
Marnus Labuschagne has put in a dazzling display in the practice nets as the Australian cricket star desperately tries to find form ahead of the second Test against India.
The Australian star batsman has fallen into form at the worst possible time against the might of India, scoring just 123 runs in his last 10 innings at an average of just 13.67.
That included scores of just 2 and 3 in the first Test, where the Aussies were hammered in Perth, leading to strong criticism from Aussie cricket fans.
Labuschagne hit the net on Monday afternoon and looked in blistering form throughout the session.
Cricket journalist Bharat Sundaresan, who recorded the session, took to social media to sing Labuschagne’s praises.
“Great intentions throughout all of @marnus3cricket’s stints in the nets today in Adelaide,” he posted on X.
Marnus Labuschagne (pictured) looked sharp in the practice nets as the Australian cricket star desperately tries to find form ahead of the second Test against India
“Main focus on potentially run-scoring shots from the moment he walked into the bat. Great to see. A bit like the Marnus of old.’
Fans were happy to see Labuschagne find his feet, but were quick to point out that this wasn’t against the likes of Indian star Jasprit Bumrah.
It comes after Labuschange recently returned to his junior cricket club Redlands, just south of Brisbane, for a long net session.
Club chairman Sean Lloyd has known Labuschagne since he was a child and told Ny Breaking Australia he gave the Test star a key to the nets so he could come and train whenever he wanted.
“The door is always open for Marnus,” he said.
‘It is open for use of the Redlands facilities as it has since become a Test batsman who can come and use at any time.’
Labuschagne reconnected with old friends who were happy to provide throwdowns during the long net session, with the enigmatic Aussie smiling and back to his cheerful best away from the Australian crowd’s gaze.
Lloyd said it was nothing unusual for Labuschagne or the club, with the Australian star often returning to his roots for long training sessions.
Marnus Labuschagne is under increasing pressure to keep his position in the team
Against India, he could manage just two off 52 deliveries in the first innings, before adding just three in the second
“For him to want to hit 1,000 balls is a fun afternoon for him,” he said.
‘Marnus’ training can vary from a few hours to longer stints.
‘To be who he is he has to work very hard, so it wouldn’t have been a short session.’
Meanwhile, Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist has backed Labuschagne to overcome his dip in form.
“I’m sure the people around him are already doing this, but he needs to be reminded that he is a class act,” Gilchrist told 3AW.
“He has a game that can tolerate and withstand anything the cricket world has to offer and he has dominated for a number of years.”
Gilchrist thinks de Labuschagne thinks too much when he is in the crease.
“Most players who have played long enough will have been in this situation at some point and it’s about not letting self-doubt creep in and understanding that you don’t lose that skill – you don’t lose that edge – [and] certainly not in a short period of time,” he said.
The second Test against India starts on December 6 at Adelaide Oval.