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With allrounder Cameron Green absent due to injury issues, Marnus Labuschagne may be seen rolling his arm over in the Test series against India.
Marnus Labuschagne has taken 13 wickets in his career so far. (AFP Photo)
Australia cricketer Marnus Labuschagne has already established himself as one of the finest Test batters of modern-day cricket and he will certainly be one of the players to watch out for at the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This time though, Australia would not just need Labuschagne the batter. With allrounder Cameron Green absent due to injury, Labuschagne may be seen rolling his arm over during the five-match Test series against India.
“I would love nothing more than to be that guy,” Labuschagne was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au when asked if he was set to fill Green’s bowling shoes.
“But we’ve got to convince the Australian captain of that. We’ll see, but there’s nothing more enjoyable than bowling bouncers. I love it,” he added.
Labuschagne has increased his bowling workload since taking up the captaincy duties of Queensland in the Sheffield Shield and domestic One-Day Cup competition. Against South Australia, he bowled a total of 27 overs.
During Monday’s practice session at the WACA Ground, Labuschagne was seen bowling bouncer to the Aussie skipper Pat Cummins.
While Cummins successfully dealt with the delivery by ducking underneath it, the ploy opted by Labuschagne can very well be seen as a reminder to the skipper to use him as a pace bowling option if needed.
“Yeah look, you’ve got to go at the top, don’t you. I bowled one bouncer, and I think Mitchell Starc said, ‘we’ve got short memories’. I said I’m going to get them anyway, so I might as well dish them out. But practice like you play,” Labuschagne said.
India and Australia last met in a Test at the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final where Cummins’ men emerged victorious.
India enter the Border-Gavaskar Trophy having suffered a 0-3 Test series defeat at the hands of New Zealand on home soil.
Australia, on the other hand, will be aiming for their first Test series victory against India in a decade. The opening match is scheduled to start on Friday in Perth.
