BRISBANE: A fifth Test hundred in his kitty against a “very disciplined” bowling attack but Australia’s
Marnus Labuschagne was still a disappointed man on the opening day of the fourth Test against India here as the knock was not “big” enough for him.
Australia ended the day 274/5, thanks largely to Labuschagne’s 108 off 204 balls. The 26-year-old said he should have done more.
“…I think, I am definitely disappointed not going on and getting a really big score, which would have put us in a better position as a team,” Labuschagne said at the virtual post-play press-conference.
“Any Test century, it doesn’t matter who it is against or against what opposition, you want to make sure you are scoring hundreds and probably for me (it was) today it was disappointing that (I) did not end up making that a really big hundred,” he stressed.
However, he credited the Indian bowlers for being disciplined early on and hardly giving away any scoring opportunities.
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In pics: Marnus Labuschagne ton puts Australia on top on Day 1
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<p>Marnus Labuschagne rode his luck to a home-ground century as Australia exploited India’s injury woes and punished their poor fielding to reach 274 for five at stumps on Day 1 in Brisbane. (Getty Images) </p>
<p>Dropped on 37 and 48 before tea, Labuschagne stiched a 113-run partnership with Matthew Wade (45). His 108 runs off 2018 balls was studded with nine boundaries. (Getty Images) </p>
<p>Captain Tim Paine was 38 not out and all-rounder Cameron Green on 28 at the end of day’s play. (AP Photo) </p>
<p>Paceman Mohammed Siraj had David Warner caught for 1 with the sixth ball of the morning. (Getty Images) </p>
<p>Shardul Thakur, playing his career’s second Test, struck with his first delivery when he dismissed Marcus Harris for 5 runs. (AFP Photo) </p>
<p>India had lost fast bowler Navdeep Saini to a groin injury midway through the second session. (Getty Images) </p>
<p>Making his debut, Washingon Sundar claimed Steve Smith (36) as his first Test wicket. (Getty Images) </p>
<p>Debutant T Natarajan dismissed Marnus Labuschagne (108) and Matthew Wade (45) on the opening day of the fourth Test. (AFP Photo) </p>
“…Indian bowling attacks, they are very disciplined and doesn’t matter who is bowling, they are very planned, they are very strategic and we saw that today with their bowling attack.
“They were disciplined early and did not give us many of those scoring opportunities in the first session,” the right-handed batsman said.
He said he worked to his plan, which was to tire out the bowlers and then pick scoring chances.
“I think when you are playing really good teams, it doesn’t matter who comes in, everyone in that line-up is very disciplined, they understand their role, you know they are very skilled bowlers.
“So, it was sort of a matter of discipline early on, especially in the first session and half, making sure you get yourself in, you get the pace of the wicket. So that you can really cash in when the bowlers are little-bit tired and they are a bit cooked,” he added.
Labuschagne was facing a relatively new Indian attack and he conceded that he had to make some plans on the run.
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IN PICS: Inexperienced Indian bowling attack has its task cut out against Australia
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<p>India were forced to make as many as four changes for the fourth Test against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane. (Getty Images)</p>
<p>Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah (abdomen), off-spinner Ravi Ashwin (back), batsman Hanuma Vihari (hamstring) and all-rounder Ravi Jadeja (broken thumb) were all ruled out. (Getty Images)</p>
<p>T. Natarajan and Washington Sundar made their debuts while Mayank Agarwal and Shardul Thakur were recalled. (AFP Photo)</p>
<p>Thangarasu Natarajan, who came to Australia as a net bowler, became the first Indian cricketer to make his international debut across all three formats during the same tour.</p>
<p>The entire Indian bowling attack has an experience of playing four completed Tests so far, with Mohammad Siraj who is playing his third Test, the most experienced. (Getty Images)</p>
<p>Australia were 93/3 in 35.5 overs, when Navdeep Saini went off the field due to groin pain. (Getty Images)</p>
<p>The last time India had five or more debutants in a series was against England in 1996. Sunil Joshi, Pharas Mhambrey, Venkatesh Prasad, Vikram Rathour, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly made their India debuts in that series. (Getty Images)</p>
<p>20 players have been used by India in this series – the most by them since 1961/62. (AFP Photo)</p>
<p>Never before in an away series have India played more than 17 players. They used 17 each previously in England in 2018, in Australia in 2014/15 and in England in 1959. (Getty Images)</p>
“I think that is a part of the game that is really enjoyable, you got to read the situation out there. Definitely made some plans on the run today,” he said.
Labuschagne also said that India’s decision to go with an extra bowler “probably paid off for them” after speedster Navdeen Saini had to leave the field because of a groin injury.
He also credited all-rounder Cameron Green (28 not out) and skipper Tim Paine (38 not out) for holding fort till the end after Australia lost two quick wickets in the final session.
Labuschagne shared a 70-run third wicket stand with Steve Smith, who made a 77-ball 36, and he said that the off-field controversies don’t really concern the star when he comes out to bat.
Smith was criticised by fans on social media and a few former cricketers for scuffing up Rishabh Pant’s guard on the final day of the Sydney Test, which ended in a draw, a charge termed ludicrous by head coach Justin Langer.
“…that stuff doesn’t really concern him, he is focussing on the ball and scoring runs. If anything, it gives him extra motivation to put big runs on the board, so I don’t think that (outside) stuff comes into play when he is actually out there (in the middle) at all,” he signed off.
