Image Credit- CA
Despite a poor run
of form, Pat Cummins is convinced that Marnus Labuschagne is not under pressure
to keep his spot, but Australia’s batting order is coming under more and more
scrutiny after they missed a chance to thrash New Zealand at the Basin Reserve.
Even with the double-wicket losses of Labuschagne and Steven Smith on the
second evening, Australia led by 319 runs at one point on day three with six
wickets remaining. They had taken 204 runs early in their second innings.
However, they were bowled out for just 164 due to a collapse, which allowed New
Zealand to attempt a 369 chase. Even with Nathan Lyon getting six wickets, it
was still 172 too many, and the victory does not make up for the poor batting
effort.
The form of
Labuschagne has come to be the main subject. His scores in the last three tests
have been 10, 1*, 3, 5, 1, and 2. After being over 60 in December 2022, his
career test average has fallen below 50. However, Cummins maintained that
Labuschagne’s position at number three was unaffected.
“Absolutely not,” Cummins said. “I think he’d be the first to
admit he’d like to score some more runs. And it’s not through lack of trying in
the nets. I think particularly that second innings was just one of those ones
down leg. We’re very clear that these six guys are the six best batters in
Australia and although at times they might not have clicked altogether at once
the story of our team has been someone’s being able to stand up when they need
to.”
Although
Labuschagne’s form did not raise any serious concerns, Australia coach Andrew
McDonald stated that he preferred to see more of the positive intent displayed
by the player in the second innings as opposed to what he produced in his
one-off, 27-ball innings in the first.
Alex Carey is also coming under increasing pressure. Despite making an
outstanding half-century in his most recent Test match against the West Indies,
his average has fallen below thirty following his two defeats in Wellington.
McDonald acknowledged that they would talk about how Carey was fired from the
Basin Reserve after he holed out to cover twice.
“They’re going
on at the moment,” McDonald said. “He’s disappointed with that as a
method to Glenn Phillips. He’s encouraged himself to play off the back foot.
It’s an error in judgement. I think we’re not going to hang him on one innings or
two innings. Over a period of time, we’ll see how that plays out.”