Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne’s marked drop-off in Test batting form in 2023 does not concern captain Pat Cummins, who has backed both to return to their dominant best. Day 3 live from 10am AEDT – updates in the blog below!
The pair sat at one and two in the ICC’s Test batting rankings as recently as June but have fallen away significantly over the calendar year with only four centuries between them in 45 innings.
Smith, who fell for 26 to a faint outside edge on the opening day at the MCG, has made 879 runs at 41.85, while Labuschagne has posted 799 runs at 36.31 after he was dismissed by Aamer Jamal for 63 on Wednesday.
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Their decline from the heights of averaging more than 60 in Tests does not worry Cummins, who said Labuschagne’s half-century was worth “100-odd” in difficult conditions as Australia posted a first innings score of 318.
The skipper said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if both were able to again reach their ceilings in the longer format, adding Australian pitches were not as flat as they were in 2019 when Smith averaged 75, and Labuschagne 65.
“I mean, when they were averaging 60 each year, you thought, ‘Oh, well that’s going to be an outlier’, and four or five years later, we’re all kind of in awe that they’ve kept up that standard,” Cummins said.
“The batters, it wasn’t long ago we had one, two, three-ranked in the world and they were right up there.
“So I wouldn’t be surprised if they start averaging 60 or 70, but we’ve toured India this year, some of the wickets in Australia haven’t been like they were five or six years ago either.
“You see the hours they put in in the nets, they’re still hitting it as well as they ever have, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they start churning out hundreds all the time.”
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Cummins said he was pleased by Australia’s first innings batting performance despite a collapse of 6-68 in the first session on day two.
“It was really tough, even the outfield is not very quick here, so 300 is probably worth at least 400,” he said.
“(Labuschagne’s) 60 or 70 was probably worth 100-odd in the context of the game.
“I’m happy with our batting performance, and to have them six (wickets) down overnight, still a fair way behind, puts us in a good position I think.”
Cummins said he expected the MCG pitch to become more batter-friendly as the match wore on, and wanted a fast start on Thursday from his bowlers.
“I think the wicket is going to get better and better … we’ve got to start well.”
One concern, however, will be Australia’s over rate, something Cummins addressed at the end of play.
“You keep an eye on it. I think we got about three or four minutes back, we were 13 minutes down at one stage, I think we’re nine or 10 now,” he said.
“Keep half an eye on it, and if it starts getting tight start trying to make sure you can rein it in, always try and not waste too much time, if we can.”
Three years ago Australia was docked points in the corresponding Boxing Day clash leading to Tim Paine’s side missing the World Test Championship final.
Australia has already been penalised 10 points due to their sluggish over rate in the Ashes.
Rain, meanwhile, may play a role on day three with the pitch under covers ahead of the resumption of play.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, there is a medium chance of drizzle becoming less likely in the afternoon.
The second Test between Australia and Pakistan resumes on Thursday morning at 10am AEDT.
Follow live updates in our blog below!