Marnus Labuschagne has established himself as one of the best batsmen in the Australian Test set-up. Since making his debut in 2018 against Pakistan, the right-handed batsman has come a long way in his 3-year career with 6 centuries, 12 half-centuries and has topped the ICC Test rankings.
Labuschagne spoke candidly to Cricket Australia as he prepares for the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney starting on Wednesday. He was asked to make a list of ‘perfect batsmen’ based on the characteristics of current and former players.
The video of the conversation was shared on Twitter by cricket.com.au and it came as no surprise when they picked up legends of Indian cricket – Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli – for their trademark straight and cover drives.
“For a right thing, I am going to start with a straight drive from Sachin Tendulkar. It was a shot that you enjoyed watching. So crisp and pure. Then I would go with Ponting’s pull shot – his trademark. Everyone loved watching the full flow of it,” he said.
“I have to go with Virat Kohli’s cover drive. I think the way he plays, the kind of energy he brings to the ball. Then Kevin Pietersen hit that kind of leg side shot. That too at the crease. I love Pietersen’s aggression the way he was at the crease. Similar to Virat Kohli,” he said.
Labuschagne’s next three picks were his teammate Steve Smith, former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis and former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds.
“I have to go with Steve Smith’s hunger for runs and determination and adaptability. And then I have to get the temperament of Jacques Kallis and the ability to stay at the crease. Andrew Symonds century with Hados (Matthew Hayden). Where he jumped up and hugged Hados tightly. It was awesome,” he said.
The Australian batsman further named the right-handed batsmen. He picked Matthew Hayden for his brilliant off drive, Kumar Sangakkara for his cover drive and Justin Langer for his cut shot.
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“For the left-hander, I’m going to start with Hayden’s off-drive and his energy at the crease. There is no better, purer cover driver of the cricket ball than Kumar Sangakkara. Cut Shot – I’m Going With Justin Langer. More of a square drive,” he said.
“It’s very tough and we have to get Huss (Mike Hussey) out of the cover drive, but I’ll give him a pull shot. Alastair Cook has the ability to move on and grow up. Cookie was all over as he was going Let’s say, after 300 (talking David Warner vs Pakistan) I didn’t mind Dhanush. We tease him about it but I think it was great
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