Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne ducks to avoid a short ball by India’s captain Jasprit Bumrah on the first day of the first cricket test between Australia and India in Perth, Australia. (AP)
Adam Gilchrist has just one advice to the Australian batters and that is to “weather the storm” from Jasprit Bumrah-led Indian bowling attack in the pink-ball Test match, which will start from Friday in Adelaide. India lead the five-match series following their 295-run victory in the opener at Perth last week
Gilchrist has also backed the out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne to regain form.
“Marnus had the onus to do that (stay at crease) and tried at good effect to nullify 50-odd deliveries,” Gilchrist was quoted as saying by Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
“So, if you face an average of 50 deliveries every Test innings, you’re probably going to be on the right side of the ledger more than you’re on the wrong side of it.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne gestures as he leaves the field after losing his wicket on the first day of the first cricket test between Australia and India in Perth, Australia. (AP)
“He just couldn’t find a way to score and maybe that’s what (the Australians) as a collective will look to try and do.
“It will bring with it risk, for sure, but it is a risk for reward.” Queenslander Labuschagne has been struggling for runs in recent months and now finds himself under immense pressure to retain his place in the side.
Gilchrist pointed out that there no technical issue with Labuschagne’s batting.
“I’m sure the people around him are already doing this but he needs to be reminded that he is a class act,” Gilchrist said of Labuschagne.
“He’s got a game that has been able to tolerate and withstand everything that the cricketing world has presented, and he’s dominated for a number of years.”
“Most players that have played long enough will have been in this situation at some point in time and it’s about not letting any self-doubt creep in and understanding you don’t lose that skill — you don’t lose that edge — (and) certainly not in a short space of time.” Gilchrist’s urged Labuschagne to “trust your training, get out there, see the ball and play it,” he added.
