Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has claimed he enjoys his battle with struggling Aussie batter Marnus Labuschagne, thanks to the latter's false bravado at the crease. Siraj's comments came after India defeated Australia in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test by 295 runs at Perth.
Labuschagne has been in woeful form in Tests with eight single-digit scores in his last 10 innings, averaging under 14 in that stretch. Siraj got the better of the Australian batter in the first innings, dismissing him for a tortuous 52-ball 2.
Siraj told Star Sports about his duels with Labuschagne:
"I loved bowling to Marnus, enjoyed the battle because he plays under a lot of pressure. He tries to leave a lot of deliveries rather than trying to play at them. He defends and tries to show that he is confident. That is not really confidence. And my confidence is always high (laughs)."
Siraj has dismissed Labuschagne three times in Tests, with the right-handed batter scoring 125 runs at an average of 41.70.
The 30-year-old Aussie has scored only the lone century in 37 Test innings since the beginning of 2023.
"I hope they give him another crack" - Michael Clarke on Marnus Labuschagne
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke called for Marnus Labuschagne to be given a longer rope amid speculation that the batter may be dropped from the Test squad.
Following an outstanding start to his Test career with an average in the high 50s until 2022, Labuschagne's drop in form has been staggering.
Clarke said on ESPN's Around The Wicket:
"I know there's a lot of talk about Marnus being dropped, but I hope they give him another crack. I still think he's our best option [at No.3]. I think he's a very good player who's out of form, but I think he can turn that around if he gets his preparation right and looks after his mind, probably even gets away from the game for a couple of days in the lead-up to this second Test."
Despite the extended poor form, Labuschagne still boasts impressive Test numbers, averaging 48.45 with 11 centuries in 51 matches.
Meanwhile, Australia are under immense pressure to turn things around after the massive opening Test defeat to India. They will look to level the five-Test series in the second encounter at Adelaide, starting December 6.
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