Great says Cummins would be ‘privately seething’ over Marnus habit
Updated . First published
Former Test opener Simon Katich unloaded on Marnus Labuschagne and Australia’s selectors after South Africa hammered the tourists by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test.
But amid calls for the former No.1 in the ICC’s Test batting rankings to be axed for the Cape Town decider, leading Fox Cricket analyst Kerry O’Keeffe floated the possibility of Labuschagne moving up to open with Travis Head.
Marnus Labuschagne trudges off after throwing away his wicket in Gqeberha. Getty Images
The Australians effectively found themselves batting for a draw on day four of the Gqeberha Test after being skittled for 99 and then being made to follow on, a day after South Africa had declared its first innings closed at 9-425.
But Labuschagne had a brain snap.
Despite having patiently made his way to 39, the under-fire first drop danced down the wicket to off-spinner Simon Harmer and tried to belt him over the leg-side boundary. He was hitting into a strong wind, but he thought he could beat it. The ball held up in the breeze and Marco Jansen took the catch.
The Proteas erupted with joy, Labuschagne threw his head back, and those in the Australian dressing room licked their fleshy wounds some more.
Labuschagne had already survived an lbw review in his innings by less than five millimetres.
The brain fade laid waste to a partnership of 92 runs between Labuschagne and Head.
Labuschagne has now strung together 47 Test innings without scoring a century.
While the Queenslander made a century in the tour match that preceded the ongoing Test series, he hasn’t scored a Test ton since reaching triple figures in Manchester in the 2023 Ashes.
From the 25 Tests he has played since his Manchester ton, he has averaged 25.34.
He fell for 14 in Australia’s first innings in Gqeberha, and twice made 37 in the opening Test in Durban.
Captain Pat Cummins defended Labuschagne when asked about his place in the side after the crushing loss in Gqeberha.
“I think the hardest thing about opening or batting at three is actually getting yourself in. The ball is normally doing a fair bit and you’ve got fresh bowlers. He’s actually doing the hard bit – he’s getting to the 30s,” Cummins said.
“He’s got to find a way to turn those into bigger scores. Thirties aren’t going to win you too many matches.
“But I don’t think it’s a technique error; it’s maybe a couple of decision-making (choices) where the game demanded something a little bit different. We’ll work on that in the next couple of days. I think he’s hitting the ball well.”
Anrich Nortje (right) celebrates taking the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne in Australia’s first dig in Gqeberha. AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
Katich suggested Cummins was not expressing his true feelings – and proceeded to rip into Labuschagne and the selectors.
“I think he’s kept his cards close to his chest there. He’s not giving much away,” Katich said on SEN.
“I think behind closed doors he’d have to be privately seething, because 42.3 overs (the number of overs Australia lasted in its first dig) is simply not good enough.
“I know there’s all this talk about wickets and balls and stuff like that, but that’s gotta change. I’m sick of hearing that. It’s gotta change. You’re either good enough to play Test cricket, and you’ve got the temperament and technique, otherwise go back to (Sheffield) Shield level if you’re not because they’re getting found out.”
Labuschagne was dropped for last year’s tour of the Caribbean but fought his way back into the side on the back of blistering domestic form.
The right-hander has now fallen in the 30s five times across his past eight Test innings.
“You can’t keep hoping for someone to get something,” Katich added.
“And he (Cummins) said 30s don’t win you Tests. Well, that’s what’s been happening for three years, so you’re hoping for something that is highly unlikely.”
Pat Cummins in the second Test. AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
Speaking on day four, SEN commentator Gerard Whateley said it might be time for Labuschagne to cop the axe again.
“I just think if Australia lose this Test match, he has to be dropped now,” he said.
“Just as a matter of principle, we cannot tolerate this from our senior players.”
Cameron Green and Josh Inglis will be available for selection for the third Test, beginning next Tuesday, having overcome their respective abdominal and finger injuries.
Australia’s selectors also have Cooper Connolly to pick from as they mull a shake-up of the beleaguered batting unit.
Labuschagne and opener Nic Maddinson are both under extreme pressure, at least externally.
Beau Webster could be swapped out for Green, or selectors could choose to play both all-rounders and drop Labuschagne.
Another option is cutting Webster and Labuschagne and bringing in Green and Inglis.
O’Keeffe tossed up an alternative.
“I’d still give him (Labuschagne) one last chance – even push him off to open instead of Maddinson at Cape Town,” he said.
Cameron Green is available for selection for the decider, as is Josh Inglis. Getty Images
Labuschagne opened in last year’s World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s, but only made scores of 17 and 22.
He opened again in Perth in the first innings of last year’s Ashes series after regaining his Test spot, but failed to reach double figures.
“It’s always the challenge of, do you give someone one more game, or do you feel like now’s the right time to make a move?” Cummins said after the heavy loss in Gqeberha.
“That’s what we’ll be talking about over the next few days.
“... It’s always that delicate balance: do we feel like someone’s just about to turn the corner and they’re going to be away, or does it now feel like the right time for a change-up?”
