Despite observing how Moeen Ali found some turn on the first day, Marnus Labuschagne is sure that Australia would not be left regretting not selecting offspinner Todd Murphy for the Old Trafford Test.
Australia is playing a Test without a frontline spinner for the first time since 2011-12 against India in Perth, as Cameron Green was picked over Murphy.
Moeen ended Labuschagne’s half-century, his first in nine Test innings, shortly before tea, but he believed that the assistance provided on the first day would not last throughout the game.
“It’ll be interesting to say this, but I think it’ll be one of those wickets,” he added. “Because [it’s] been undercover for a few days, it didn’t have that rock hardness; the thatchiness of the grass is spinning.” “Once that wears off, don’t expect the middle of the wicket to spin as much.” If the weather stays nice, the ends will roughen up gradually, but I believe it will spin less as the game progresses from the decent half of the wicket.”
Stuart Broad believed Moeen had given Australia pause.
Stuart Broad thought Moeen had given Australia some pause, but he did not see their final decision as defensive, despite the fact that they just need a draw at Old Trafford to retain the Ashes.
“They probably want to bat as long as they can, knowing that a draw is good enough for them in this game to retain the Ashes,” he says. “Ultimately, it’s a difficult decision when you have two allrounders who both deserve to be in the team.”
“Old Trafford is historically a place where you’d want a spinner.” Moeen bowled well today, which frightened them a little, but overall, it appears to be a really dangerous team. They’ve had 300 on the board, and we still have 12 wickets to get in the Test, so it’s been a tremendous battle so far, and we’ll be able to judge that selection after two innings.”
Whatever spin bowling Australia requires in this Test will be largely in the hands of Travis Head, though Labuschagne is ready to provide if needed. His legspin (he has also bowled medium pace in Test cricket and tried offspin) is utilized less frequently these days than it was earlier in his career, but he practiced diligently prior to the match.
“Will I be going bowling?” “Hopefully not, because if I’m not bowling, it means we’re doing well,” he remarked. “However, if I need to bowl, I’m always prepared and working on it.” With the number of left-handers, I believe it will be leggies, with some rough possible if the sun stays out.”
With the bat, Labuschagne has struggled to convert his starts this series, and while that continued with 51 on Wednesday, he was pleased with his performance. “I was happy with my decision-making,” he continued, “which has been the part that has really frustrated me from a personal standpoint.”
And he didn’t think Australia’s deeper batting order, with Alex Carey at No. 8, had resulted in complacency from those in charge.
“I can’t speak for each individual’s mental state, but from my own, there’s no difference,” he remarked. “My job is to come in and score runs, especially big runs when I get myself in.” Our entire top-order is our duty, so if those kinds of notions have come in, it’s probably on the individual to put a stop to them, unless it was a thing for the second inning.
“However, I believe it gives you confidence as a player because you bat deep, and as you can see, we were able to build partnerships there with Carey and Starc, as well as Mitch and Greeny.” Those runs will be critical, especially if we can increase our lead to 350 points. That’s going to be a good first-inning total.”
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