Australian bats need to ‘grind’ to thwart India’s plans: Labuschagne

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australian bats need to balance controlled aggression to fight India in the third test in Sydney after being crushed by their archers in the first two games, said number three Marnus Labuschagne.

Australia have not surpassed 200 in each test so far, struggling to break the well-drilled Indian offensive shackles that have focused on the stumps and cut free scratches with heavy areas along the legs .

While much of the focus has been on struggling with Steve Smith and failing to reach double figures in the series, the Labuschagne fighter had to fight for a run.

But still to score fifty years after taking control of Pakistan and New Zealand on home fields, Labuschagne paid credit to the Indian archers but said Australia needed to rise to the challenge.

“They’ve been very disciplined in their bowling and in their plans, with both spinning and speed, I think they’ve kept that straight line,” said Labuschagne, who put out for 48 and 28 in the second Test in Melbourne.

“They made us face a lot of balls for … a strike rate of about two runs over.

“We have to be very disciplined. And we also need to create ways to put them under pressure.

“For us, it just makes sure we keep finding ways to score … It doesn’t have to be beautiful, but we have to keep grinding and keep fighting away and if we come in, we need to make sure we get those big marks. “

After Australia won the opener in Adelaide, India’s eight-wicket win in Melbourne has left the series four games at 1-1. The Sydney trial begins on January 7th.

With opener Joe Burns down after a pair failed with the bat in Melbourne, David Warner has returned to the squad and is racing to overcome a groin strain.

While close to Queensland’s teammate Burns, Labuschagne said Warner’s presence would give Australia a real boost.

“Someone with over 7,000 tests running and an average of almost 50, he’s a great player,” Labuschagne said.

“I think he’s at the very highest level of the player … It’s just the energy he brings around the group and his energy in the field.”