Finch believes Labuschagne could be dropped for WTC Final in what could be the first time in his test career so far.
Aaron Finch believes Labuschagne ‘not putting pressure back on the opposition at all’.
Aaron Finch, a former captain of Australia, feels that Marnus Labuschagne could be dismissed from the Test team for the first time in 2019 due to his inability to consistently provide pressure to opposition bowlers.
With youth versus experience and promise versus eleven Test hundreds, Australia’s selectors will soon have to make a crucial decision between Labuschagne and Sam Konstas in the World Test Championship final.
It’s too close to call if Labuschagne makes it through and is asked to open in what might be his last chance to salvage his immediate Test career, or if the selectors pull the pin and send Konstas into the WTC match.
Although Labuschagne has recorded some significant performances, such as the Old Trafford century in 2023 (the last time he reached three figures), the 90 in Christchurch, and more recently, three significant fifties against India, his average of 28.33 in this WTC cycle is a shadow of the run-scoring powerhouse he was from 2019 to 2022.
However, there were times during the previous season when Labuschagne nearly stopped at the crease, albeit in response to Jasprit Bumrah’s special challenge. The most extreme example was when he scored 12 off 52 balls in Brisbane after making 2 off 52 balls in Perth. Labuschagne’s strike-rate over the past two years is 46.40, which is lower than his career average of 51.94.
“It’s a difficult one because Marnus hasn’t scored the runs at No. 3 and the way that he’s been playing has probably been the concern for me,” Finch told during the recent IPL. “I mean his strike rate has plummeted over the last 18 months. He is not putting any pressure back on the opposition at all. And when you’re batting in that position, you have to be prepared to counterattack at certain times.
“You can’t just allow the best bowlers in the world to bowl with a new ball at you over and over without forcing their hand a little bit. You’re going to get a good one. We’ve seen wickets around the world have probably been better for fast bowling over the last couple of years, so you can’t afford to just sit there and wait to score.”