New Delhi: Australia’s top-order batters are desperately searching for runs and would find no batter place than Melbourne to get back into form, said legendary wicket-keeper Ian Healy.
Openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney along with No.3 Marnus Labuschagne have all got dismissed for cheap scores in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series.
With the series tied at 1-1 after three matches and with two to go, Healy said they would have to find form quickly to ease the pressure on other batters.
“I don’t see them (Australia) regressing going into Melbourne, but they are out of form, they’re seriously out of form,” Healy told SEN Radio.
In the drawn third Test at Brisbane, the top three managed only 13 runs in the second innings. Healy said that with WTC final spot on the line, Australia can’t afford any more slip-ups in the series.
‘Questions must be asked of Bailey’
The former keeper-batter said chief selector George Bailey should be held accountable for the players chosen for the series. Australia turned No.3 batter McSweeney into an opener in order to fill the slot vacated by the retirement of David Warner.
But the young right hander is yet to live up to the expectations though he has shown signs of promise in flashes. Healy said Bailey should be asked regarding the selection choices.
“Questions have got to be asked of George Bailey: ‘Can we get this form back? Are you confident that form will re-emerge in our top three?’
“Otherwise changes have to be made, and ‘what suggestions might you have for us, George?’ That type of thing,” he said.
Healy said the Melbourne Test presents a good opportunity for Khawaja, McSweeney and Labuschagne’s to get back among runs but for that they need to follow the basics of batting.
“The Melbourne Test is probably the least volatile wicket they’ll play on and that’s their best chance. But form takes a little longer than a week to turn around, and it’s just not coming for them,” he said.
“They’ve got to get right back to basics and strip it right back. See the ball and hit it, don’t care where your feet go. That’s the first step, just get some clarity in your head.”
Openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney along with No.3 Marnus Labuschagne have all strugged to score big in the ongoing BGT series Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
