Andrew McDonald of the Thunder looks on during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and the Sydney Sixers at ANZ Stadium. (Photo by Brett Hemmings – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)
Marnus Labuschagne had an average of around 105 playing at the Optus Stadium in Perth. In three matches played at the venue, the batter had over 500 runs to his name which included a double ton. But the India pace attack proved too lethal for the batter on Day 1 of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
The right-handed batter scored just two runs facing 52 balls as Mohammed Siraj sent him packing via an LBW. But the Australian coach Andrew McDonald has showed faith in the right-handed batter to come good in the second innings. For the unversed, trailing India’s 150 runs, Australia managed just 104 runs, and handed India a lead of 46 runs.
“He’s working on his game as hard as ever (but) there’s no doubt he can learn some lessons from the first innings. He was in the nets this morning working through what his method is going to be in the second innings. And clearly, your mindset changes based upon the conditions as well. So the game plan from the first innings is going to look different from the second innings. Test cricket is a unique game. You get two bites at it. So we look forward to that opportunity with the bat when it does come,” said McDonald as quoted by Fox Cricket.
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Second new ball our opportunity, our entry point into the game: McDonald
McDonald also added that the team might come good once the new-ball is introduced. He also said that the gameplay showcased once the new ball is introduced, it will be the key for Australia to come back into the game. For the unversed, India are 172/0 in their second innings with a lead of 218 runs.
“(There are) no real concerns. I think the shortened first innings alleviates a lot of that. It’ll be management into that second new ball (and) making sure that we’ve got the energy for that. That’s our opportunity, our entry point into the game. We’ve got a little bit of work to do before then (but) if we can pick up a few into that second new ball, that gives us the opportunity. That’s where our minds at this stage,” McDonald concluded.