‘ 100 per cent’ — Aussies have an edge over India
THE Australian team has “100 per cent” delivered a psychological blow to India by dominating the one- day series, according to Marnus Labuschagne, despite an injury to David Warner that has cast a cloud over his summer.
Labuschagne has thrown his hat into the ring to replace Warner at the top of the order in the final ODI on Wednesday, if asked, after the opener was ruled out of the four remaining limited- overs matches.
He said he would “love” to open, and hoped” Warner would be back in time for the Test series, which begins on December 17.
“He has been a massive part of us winning this series and it’s not great that we have lost him. Like anything, it provides an opportunity for someone else to step up in the top order and make runs,” Labuschagne said on Monday.
“There is always an opportunity for someone else when something like that happens. We hope that Davey gets a speedy recovery and he is back as soon as we can get him.”
The Aussies have piled totals of 4- 389 and 6- 374 through two ODI games, with twin centuries from Steve Smith, each off 62 deliveries, leading the way.
It’s a performance Labuschagne said could have an effect when the teams clash for the Border- Gavaskar Trophy, and the home side had a psychological edge.
“100 per cent. I think cricket is a massive e confidence game.
Even though it is a different format, it still gives you a lot confidence when you are scoring runs consistently,“he said.
“The way Steve and Davey are batting currently, I have no doubt they y will be able to transfer sfer that into the Test summer.”
India’s bowling attack will remain much the same ame for the Test series, with Ishant hant Sharma out injured. Quicks Mohammed hammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah h have h not t posed d much of a problem to Australia in the one- dayers.
At least seven of Australia‘ s likely team for the first Test in Adelaide played in the Sheffield Shield too, with India’s batsmen coming out of the IPL and will need to shift to longform cricket in two three- day warmup games before the Test series.
“It‘ s a slight advantage that four out of our top six have been playing Shield and have that rhythm as a batting group,” Labuschagne said.
“But a lot of these ( India) players we are talking about that haven‘ t played Shield or four- day cricket, they have been doing it for a long time. So I would be surprised if they didn‘ t shift back into gear quickly.”