Cricket

Ashes 2023: Marnus Labuschagne hasn’t looked himself in this series in England, says Damien Fleming

Former Australian fast bowler Damien Fleming believes Marnus Labuschagne hasn’t looked himself in the ongoing Ashes series against England. Labuschagne has got off to multiple starts in the series but he has failed to convert a single one of them into a substantial score.

The right-hander returned with scores of 21 and 33 in the third Test match at Leeds, Headingley which Australia lost by three wickets on Sunday. Labuschagne has scored 144 runs in three Test matches so far at an average of 24. In fact, he has failed to go past the 50-run mark even on one occasion against the hosts.

Labuschagne has been consistently troubled by England veteran fast bowler Stuart Broad and he hasn’t looked settled at the crease.

The right-hander was dismissed by Moeen Ali in the second innings of the third Test despite getting off to a good start.

“Ya, it did. There was not a lot in for the spinners. Moeen Ali was really just trying to dry up one end, so that the English quicks could attack from the other end. The Marnus one, he hasn’t looked himself in this series. It seems like he is just fighting himself,” Fleming said during an interaction on ‘SEN SA Breakfast’

Meanwhile, Fleming feels Labuschagne has been battling with himself as he has failed to get a big score. Furthermore, apart from scoring a century at Lord’s, Steve Smith has failed to deliver for Australia. Smith has so far scored 190 runs in three Test matches at an average of 31.67.

“Getting to 20 and 30 pretty easy but when he gets to that sort of score, it feels like I think he needs to just keep free-flowing and the Marnus we know in the last three or four years, he has been a batting machine really, averaging 55-60. It seems like he is battling himself.”

“Steve Smith’s hundred at Lord’s was as good a hundred as I have seen at the Test match level. But around that, he has been battling. To be honest, going into this series I would have thought Marnus and Smithy, as the right-handers in this Australian batting lineup, would have needed to dominate for us to win.”

There is no denying the fact that Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith are Australia’s two best batters but they need to be more consistent. The fourth Ashes Test will be played at Old Trafford from 19th July onwards.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

India Falls to Chile in Shootout After 2–2 Draw at Four Nations Junior Women’s Hockey Tournament

The Indian junior women’s hockey team suffered a narrow defeat against Chile in a tense… Read More

May 30, 2025

Shreyas Iyer’s Misjudged Aggression Costs Punjab Kings in Qualifier Blowout

Punjab Kings’ journey to the IPL 2025 final suffered a massive blow after a disappointing… Read More

May 30, 2025

Harry Maguire Hopes to See Indian Talent in Premier League, Backs Grassroots Football Initiatives

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has expressed optimism about the future of Indian football, stating… Read More

May 30, 2025

Salt’s blazing fifty helps RCB crush PBKS in record-breaking playoff win

Nine years after their last appearance in an IPL final, Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the… Read More

May 30, 2025

Josh Hazlewood opens up on playing in IPL before WTC Final, says he is got to be bowling

Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has said playing in the IPL is not… Read More

May 30, 2025