Xtra Time Web Desk: Australia’s dependable middle order batsman Marnus Labuschagne on Saturday said they are ready to take on the Indian pace attack under lights in the opening test match at the Adelaide Oval starting from December 17.
“We’re obviously prepared. We played (Jasprit) Bumrah in one-dayers and in the last ODI he really ramped it up and bowled very well. For us, we know who we are coming up against.
“So, it’s just making sure we are really focussed and understand what bowlers are doing. We know which bowlers we are playing (against) and we make sure that we prepare accordingly.”
The right-handed batsman said facing the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the nets makes the Australians better batsmen.
“One thing that makes our batters that good is that we’re facing the best bowling attack in and out during training. The likes of Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc and (James) Pattinson, they are unbelievable bowlers. Facing them every training session ensures we prepare as good as we possibly can be at Test level,” he explained.
Marnus has also claimed that he is ready to open the batting in the first Test against India if the team management wants him to.With both David Warner and Will Pucovski ruled out of the first Test, and Joe Burns short of runs, Labuschagne is an opening option for the home side in the day/night match starting here on December 17.
“No, there has not been (any talk on batting position)… currently I think number three. But I am just preparing to bat, if that’s No.1 or No.3, it doesn’t matter. I am ready to face the ball, no matter what the circumstances are,” he said during a virtual press conference. “Look, I finished last summer at three, so hopefully at three. But my job is to face the ball that is coming down to me wherever I am batting,” said the 26-year-old, who has played 14 Tests so far.
Labuschagne said he is ready to do whatever is the best for the team. “If the team needs me to open, that’s what I will do. It’s a team sport, it’s about winning games. We’ll have to wait and see how things pan out with a few other moving parts currently.”