New Delhi: Australia feel it is essential for their batters to stay in the middle for long periods of time to be in a dominant position in the Border-Gavaskar series.
They host India for a five-match Test series that begins in Perth on Friday, eyeing a victory that would help them qualify for the World Test Championship.
The Aussies have been beaten by India on home soil in their last two Test series in 2018 and 2021 and are determined to win this time.
Their No.3 batter Marnus Labuschagne understands the need for them to post big scores, saying that it would only be possible if they bat for long periods of time.
Labuschagne said since India have a relatively inexperienced bowling attack save Jasprit Bumrah, they need to be kept on the field for long periods of time to wear them down.
“It’s going to be important for all of us. I think the way we play, we’re at our best when we’re playing the long game,” Labuschagne was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
“We understand that getting them back for their second and third spells, putting them under pressure and letting them come to us and us putting pressure back on them through overs in the field and time in the game, especially over a five-Test series, that’s really important.
“Because as you get into the third, fourth, fifth Test, if they’re trying to play the same team, and those bowlers are rolling into 100, 150, 200 overs by the third Test, it’s going to make a big difference in the series,” he added.
In the absence of Rohit Sharma, who hasn’t joined the team yet after the birth of his second child, Bumrah will have additional responsibility of leading the away team.
On the pace bowling front, Bumrah will be assisted by Mohammed Siraj and the uncapped trio of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
Labuschagne said since India have a relatively inexperienced bowling attack save Jasprit Bumrah, they need to be kept on the field for long periods of time to wear them down. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
