It seems young Queensland batsman Marnus Labuschagne is penciled in to bat at No.3 for Australia in the 4th test against India at the SCG.
It’s a big call and many would argue Labuschagne doesn’t deserve to be in the test team let alone batting in what is arguably the most important position in the batting order. His first-class career and Sheffield shield performances this year would tend to support those scratching their heads.
I don’t know why but I’m ok with his selection…. hold your horses. If you could give me at least a second or two to present a case.
My only opportunity to watch him play was on the box in the 2 tests v Pakistan in the UAE earlier this year. Despite a crazy brain fade run out it looked like he knew his game, was prepared to grind an innings, and what’s become a relatively loose term in cricket, he presented a straight bat more often than not.
His leg spin was a pleasant surprise and therefore I had him in my team for the 4th test. I did, however, think he’d be batting 6, used as a batting all-rounder who could bowl a few useful leggies.
Three quality fast bowlers, a world class off spinner and a leggie – perfect I thought plus I don’t think it is too far-fetched to suggest his blade might have a few more runs in it than Mitchell Marsh.
Now that he’s batting 3, surely that means he has to play the 2 tests v Sri Lanka, and bat in the same position.
It would be extremely unfair to throw a 24-year old into such an important role and not give them a number of games to prove himself.
It’s worthwhile remembering Steve Waugh did not score his first test hundred until his 27th test and 42nd test innings. How did Steve’s career pan out for us all?
Australian batting stocks are nowhere near where they should be and many are arguing the reasons why.
Whilst it’s easy to throw darts at white ball cricket, especially T20 and the current cricket schedule. The argument may have merit but I’ll leave the schedule to the administrators and hopefully they can find a solution and find the right balance between the cash cow, and winning test matches.
My reasoning for the lack of next Stuart Law, Jamie Siddons, Jamie Cox, Brad Hodge, and Martin Love is quite simple. Batsman these days seem to have lost the understanding of the value of runs that can be scored between mid-off and mid-on.
Growing up, we were all taught to play the V, between mid-off and mid-on for the first 20 runs of our innings. I appreciate T20 doesn’t allow for the V theory but every batter gets an opportunity to apply the theory as they develop their technique in the nets and grade cricket.
Playing the V would indicate you are presenting the full face of the bat when you hit the ball and limiting the risk of getting out. It means your hands, front elbow and footwork are aligned so you are giving yourself the best opportunity to score runs. See when you venture into Kingsgrove Sports Store in Sydney and the legendary Harry Solomons is showcasing his cricket bats, there’s a reason why the bats are upright and facing customers. It’s the asset you are buying and should be using the most.
Apart from Steve Smith who in the Australian Shield competition can play a straight like a Ponting, Slater, Kohli, Tendulkar, Clarke, Dravid and Kallis.
I mentioned a few incredible Sheffield Shield batsman earlier. Whilst there’s not much point dwelling on the past (I’d suggest the guys mentioned are more than justified in being the one’s scratching their heads) we do need to move forward but….. and, this is a big but… when you look at their statistics I’d be hoping every young batsman, batting coach, and cricketing parent would reflect and learn something.
Stuart Law – 27,080 runs at an average of 50.52 with 79 hundreds
Jamie Siddons – 11,587 runs at an average of 44.91 with 35 hundreds
Jamie Cox – 18,614 runs at an average of 42.69 with 51 hundreds
Brad Hodge – 17,084 at an average of 48.81 with 51 hundreds.
Martin Love – 16,952 at an average 49.85 with 45 hundreds.
All up, they scored 91, 317 first-class runs and a total of 261 hundreds.
Incredibly, collectively the 5, only played 12 test matches for Australia… and how strong was the Australia cricket team at the time.
If you haven’t learned the fundamentals of a straight bat you’ll struggle or should struggle to score consistent runs at grade/premier cricket. If you do get by and rise to the next level, you’ll find it a lot harder to find a way to have a long and successful career.
Interestingly at a New Year’s Eve gathering, there was a conversation about the growth and success of Women’s cricket in Australia. I’d remembered a previous conversation with a few coaches who are close to the action and their common feedback was the girls batting techniques were fundamentally better than the boys.
Everyone is asking “how do we fix the problem?” ….I have an idea.
My good friends at Western Suburbs have shared a story of their young fast bowler Haris Rauf.
Rauf is from Pakistan and apparently lined up, along with 150,000 hopeful locals to an open cricket day where if you were a bowler you had the opportunity to bowl 3 balls to impress the coaches.
Raul, with very little coaching and no pathways, was clocked at 150km with his first ball. He duly impressed and was given permission to move to the next activity and now plays in the Pakistan Premier League.
Maybe we could give Shield, 2nd XI, under 23 pathway’s, U19, U17 and grade batsman the same opportunity. Set up a ball machine for 3 balls each and hope like crazy most of them can play a straight drive.
Good luck young Marnus, I hope it works out for you, the team and all Australian cricket fans.
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