English cricket great Kevin Pietersen has questioned the “mindset” of battling Aussie player Marnus Labuschagne following a pedestrian debut as Test opener.
Labuschagne was called on to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of Australia’s order for the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s.
He beat young tyro Sam Konstas to the job – a selection that sparked debate.
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Labuschagne faced 56 balls before nicking off to Marco Jansen for 17, at a strike rate of 30.36.
It took Aussie superstar Steve Smith just 28 deliveries to join Labuschagne on 17 – who had faced 49 at the time – and that was when Pietersen noted the difference between the pair.
“You see a lot of leaving from Marnus… Steve Smith is not going to let you go, and that’s why he is one of the great players,” Pietersen said in commentary.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne walks off the field after losing his wicket. AP
“Just on Marnus here, it is actually quite frustrating to watch.
“He has the ability to hit the ball really well if his body goes towards the ball, if his head goes toward the ball.
“I just think it’s a mindset. He has the ability, he has the eyes, he has the technique, but I just think he needs to change the way he’s thinking at the moment.
“Batters are out there to score runs, you’re not out there to leave the ball all day.
“You can bowl to that. If someone is just looking to leave (the ball) you can work him over. Comparing that to someone like Steve Smith – if you miss your line, miss your length, he smacks you for four.”
Smith had just flicked one off his pads to the boundary, before smacking a cover drive past another fielder for four.
The dynamic scoring ability of the gun No.4 was in contrast to Labuschagne, who left or defended almost every delivery and struggled to find runs.
South African legend Shaun Pollock explained why bowlers would relish having Labuschagne at the end of the pitch.
“It’s interesting they haven’t put a leg slip in for him, which suggests they aren’t going to attack the stumps, they are just going to hover outside off stump,” Pollock said.
“If he’s just going to leave it, it kind of makes that job a lot easier for you.”
Fellow Proteas legend AB de Villiers could find some positives in the Labuschagne innings.
“Marnus was moving exceptionally well,” de Villiers said after the right-hander was dismissed.
“He’s been very decisive, and that’s a huge wicket.”
Labuschagne’s place in the Test team has been questioned for several months.
He averaged above 70 early in his Test career, but his form has declined to the point he will be lucky to make the team for the summer’s Ashes series.
Marnus Labuschagne of Australia leaves the field after being dismissed by Marco Jansen. Getty
His career Test average remains a world class 46.45 but in his last 20 matches he averages a measly 28.00 – form that would get a lot of players axed.
He hasn’t scored a century in 30 Test innings, and has only one to his name since December 2022.
His form at domestic level has also been abysmal this year – in four matches for Queensland and Glamorgan he averages 18.50.
Australia’s middle order is looking shored up with Cameron Green back healthy, Smith at No.4 and the rookie Beau Webster slotting in nicely behind the master blaster Travis Head.
Usman Khawaja’s career is winding down but a double century in Galle a few months ago means he won’t be getting dropped any time soon.
Konstas is well and truly breathing down Labuschagne’s neck as selectors look ahead to a three-Test series against the West Indies starting later this month.
