Australia Under Pressure: Can Labuschagne Regain Form in Second Test?

Australia is feeling the heat as they prepare to play India in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after losing badly in the first Test last month. One of Australia’s biggest worries is the poor performance of Marnus Labuschagne, their No. 3 batsman. He has only scored 123 runs in his last 10 innings of Test cricket.

In the first Test in Perth, where India won by 295 runs, Labuschagne only scored a total of five runs in both innings. Former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson thinks Labuschagne should be dropped from the team and play in domestic matches to regain his form.

Rising star Sam Konstas, just 19 years old, scored an impressive century in a practice match against India, adding to the calls for him to replace Labuschagne. This would allow Nathan McSweeney, who debuted as an opener in the Perth Test, to bat at his usual No. 3 position.

Despite the pressure to make changes, former England captain Michael Vaughan warns against it. He believes that changing the batting order so soon can create confusion. “I’d go with Labuschagne again. It’s important to stick with a team for a few games unless there’s an injury,” Vaughan said.

He also mentioned that while Labuschagne is not at his best right now, the Day-Night Test in Adelaide might allow him to relax and play better. “He needs to be more positive, and I think we could see that in Adelaide,” Vaughan added.