The partnership of Labuschagne and Smith
It felt like the Australian Test summer was being played for quite some time in the second ODI in Rajkot, India. There was a good partnership between Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. Steve Smith was facing a short-ball barrage with a leg gully. David Warner was dismissed by Manish Pandey’s amazing catch.
The outcome was not in favor of Australia and the format was different this time. But the common point was Smith and Labuschagne increasing their scoring line in India after not getting a chance in the series. Australia has seen Smith scoring 4000 runs in One Day Internationals and also Labuschagne’s success in 50 overs in a 36-run loss on Friday.
Labuschagne’s ODI opportunity
Labuschagne with four centuries and three fifties in only five Test matches made his summer productive. With an average score of 60 in the domestic 50-over game, he got to play three ODIs in India.
He made his first appearance in the first ODI in Mumbai but got the chance of batting in the second match. He made 46 runs from 47 balls to keep Australia in the chase with Smith until the 31st over.
Labuschagne facing the spinners
Smith and Labuschagne stitched the best partnership for Aussies by adding 96 runs in 94 balls for the third wicket in the chase. They together scored 378 runs at an average of 94.50 during the Test summer back home.
Labuschagne showed skillful strokeplay in Indians conditions on Friday, especially against the spinners and Kuldeep Yadav in particular. It was Yadav’s googly that ultimately got Smith but Labuschagne hit it for impressive boundaries. Focusing inside-out drives with confidence, Labuschagne scored 32 runs from 29 balls while facing the spinners.
Hoping for the best result
With Labuschagne working hard against one right-handed and the other left-handed wrist spinners, Australia hopes for a result that will be the same as what they’ve seen back home this summer.
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