New Delhi: Australian batters must work out a way to score quickly off Jasprit Bumrah in the day-night Test at Adelaide to prevent conceding a psychological edge to India.
The Aussies batters collectively failed against the potent Indian pact attack in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at Perth, Bumrah being the wrecker-in-chief with eight wickets.
The heat is particularly on No.3 Marnus Labuschagne and No.4 Steve Smith, the home team’s batting mainstays and Gilchrist said it’s pivotal for the Aussies to take a high risk, high reward approach to be on top of the Indian bowling attack.
But first they were advised to bide their time on the crease during the pink ball Test that begins from December 6.
“Marnus had the onus to do that (stay at crease) and tried at good effect to nullify 50-odd deliveries. So, if you face an average of 50 deliveries every Test innings, you’re probably going to be on the right side of the ledger more than you’re on the wrong side of it,” Gilchrist told Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
“He just couldn’t find a way to score and maybe that’s what (the Australians) as a collective will look to try and do. It will bring with it risk, for sure, but it is a risk for reward.”
Labuschagne under pressure
Right hander Labuschagne has endured a dry spell with the bat in recent months and has only retained his place in the team for the Adelaide game as he has an impressive record in pink ball matches.
But another failure would compel Australia to look for a replacement with Sam Konstas already making his case with a century for Australia PM’s XI against India in a practice game.
Gilchrist believes Labuschagne doesn’t have any technical flaws in his batting and has only failed to tackle quality bowlers of the opposition.
“I’m sure the people around him are already doing this but he needs to be reminded that he is a class act,” the legendary keeper-batter said.
“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.”
Labuschagne should keep faith in his training and bat with more focus, and shouldn;t allow any self doubts to creep in in his mind.
The Aussies batters collectively failed against the potent Indian pace attack in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at Perth Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
