Marnus Labuschagne sends a HUGE message to doubters that he is back to his best ahead of crucial Adelaide Test against India
Marnus Labuschagne has put on a staggering demonstration in the practice nets as the Aussie cricket star desperately tries to find form ahead of the second Test against India.
The star Aussie batsman has hit a form slump at the worst possible time against the might of India, scoring just 123 runs in his last 10 innings at an average of just 13.67.
That included scores of just 2 and 3 in the first Test where the Aussies were hammered in Perth, leading to strong criticism from Aussie cricket fans.
Labuschagne hit the nets on Monday afternoon and looked in blistering form for the entire session.
Cricket journalist Bharat Sundaresan, who recorded the session, took to social media to sing Labuschagne’s praises.
‘Wonderful intent in all of @marnus3cricket’s stints in the nets today in Adelaide,’ he posted to X.
Marnus Labuschagne (pictured) looked sharp in the practice nets as the Aussie cricket star desperately tries to find form ahead of the second Test against India
‘Main focus on potentially run-scoring shots from the very moment he walked into bat. Great to see. A lot like the Marnus of old.’
Fans were happy to see Labuschagne finding his stride, but were quick to point out that it wasn’t against the likes of Indian star Jasprit Bumrah.
It comes after Labuschange recently returned to his junior cricket club Redlands, just south of Brisbane, for a lengthy net session.
Club president Sean Lloyd has known Labuschagne since he was a child and told Daily Mail Australia that he had given the Test star a key to the nets so he could come and train whenever he wanted.
‘The door is always open to Marnus,’ he said.
‘It is open to utilise the Redlands facilities, as it has been ever since becoming a Test batsman to come and use at any point in time.’
Labuschagne re-connected with old friends who were happy to provide throwdowns in the lengthy net session, with the enigmatic Aussie smiling and back to his chirpy best outside of the glare of the Australian public.
Lloyd said it was nothing unusual for Labuschagne or the club, with the Aussie star often returning to his roots for long training sessions.
Marnus Labuschagne has come under increasing pressure to retain his position in the team
Against India he could only manage two from 52 deliveries in the first innings before adding only three in the second
‘Him wanting to hit 1000 balls is a pleasant afternoon for him,’ he said.
‘Marnus’ training sessions can vary from a couple of hours to longer stints.
‘In order to be who he is, he puts in a lot of hard work, so it wouldn’t have been a short session.’
Meanwhile, Aussie cricket legend Adam Gilchrist has backed Labuschagne to overcome his form slump.
‘I’m sure the people around him are already doing this but he needs to be reminded that he is a class act,’ Gilchrist told 3AW.
‘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.’
Gilchrist thinks the Labuschagne is overthinking when at the crease.
‘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,’ he said.
The second Test against India begins on December 6 at Adelaide Oval.
