‘Just his intent to score’ - Michael Hussey backs Marnus Labuschagne to get out of slump in form

With the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) concluding with India registering a dominant victory, all eyes have been set upon the second Test. The Aussies, despite bundling India out for 150 in the first innings failed to go big with the bat and failed to perform with the ball as well. 

One of the biggest questions after the first test came in the form of star batter Marnus Labuschagne. He managed only 2 and 3 in the Perth Test and failed to perform across the two innings. However, despite a dip in form, former Australia cricketer Michael Hussey took centre stage and backed Labuschagne to get back to scoring ways. He also revealed his notings after he analysed the batter’s technique. 

“I actually went back and had a look at some of his highlights of some of his great innings from a few years back. It was just to see if I could see anything different than what we’ve been seeing in the last week or so.” Hussey told SEN Sportsday.

“From a technical perspective, there’s actually not a lot of difference from when he was playing really well in scoring a lot of runs compared to the last Test match against India. The biggest difference I’ve noticed is just his intent to score. He’s probably looking at it thinking, ‘I’m a senior player now, I’ve got to take responsibility, I’ve got to bat time, be there for the team, soak up the pressure and all of that’” Hussey added.

'Be a little bit more positive with an intent to score' - Hussey on Labuschagne's batting form

Furthermore, Michael Hussey talked about how Labuschagne can complete the turnaround in his batting form. the former Australian great suggested that the Marnus can just shift his mindset to a more positive one when coming out to bat.

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“If he can just change that mindset of just looking to occupy the crease … into, ‘Whatever I do, I’m going to do it confidently, decisively and be a little bit more positive with an intent to score,’” Hussey concluded.