Australia's Batting Under Scrutiny Ahead of Decisive Test
New Delhi, October 26
Australia's batting is under the microscope as the team prepares for the third and final Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey has asked his batters to make the most of their starts, saying the side cannot afford another collapse after its poor showing in the second Test.
Australia were dismissed for 99 in their first innings of the second Test and lost the match by an innings and 31 runs. The batters struggled to put runs on the board together, and the lack of partnerships was evident throughout. Carey stressed that the group needs to become more consistent and stop relying on a few individuals to carry the innings.
Carey said, “I understand where you are coming from. There have been some amazing individual efforts, and it has been great to watch them. But you also know how things look when that does not happen. As a batting group, we need to convert those good starts into big scores. Hopefully we can build on that one performance. Three guys might not get hundreds, but if one of them has a good day and the other two support him and move the scoreboard forward, that is what we want.”
Marnus Labuschagne's inability to push on from good starts has become a major talking point. Six of his nine most recent scores have ranged between 30 and 49. Doubts have grown over his place in the side after the heavy defeat, and Cameron Green is expected to be included in place of Nick Maddinson as the team considers changes.
South Africa are preparing to unsettle Labuschagne mentally. Wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton believes the batter's recent scores and his pattern of starting innings will be a focus for the South African attack. Marco Jansen is expected to try to exploit that weakness.
Rickelton said, “Marco will definitely try to build pressure on him at the start. They both speak Afrikaans, so there is chatter on the field, and the crowd joins in too. But Marnus is not the only one feeling the pressure. Many players on both teams are facing different pressures. Marco is known for his aggressive style, and he has had good battles with Marnus before.”