‘They’re relying too much on them’ – Glenn McGrath feels Australia are too reliant on Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to score runs

India lucky to have bowlers like Umesh, Aaron – Glenn McGrath. (© Getty Images)

Australia have failed as a batting unit in the first two Tests of the ongoing four-match Test series against India having lost both matches due to their batting collapses. Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath feels that the Kangaroos have been too reliant on the star batters Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the series so far.

Labuschagne is the highest run scorer for Australia in the series with 119 runs to his name at an average of 29.75. Smith on the other hand has managed to score just 71 runs at an average of 23.66. The Australian vice-captain has had a contrasting series so far from Australia’s last tour of India in 2017 where he finished as the highest run scorer of the series with 499 runs to his name in eight innings.

“I think they’re relying too much on (Steve) Smith and Marnus (Labuschagne) at the moment. Travis Head has had a really good year as well. The whole batting line-up has to stand up,” McGrath was quoted as saying by India Today.

McGrath further said that Australia were too defensive in the first Test and were too aggressive in the second match. He suggested the batters to find a balance between the two.

“In the first Test, they were too defensive, and in the second Test, they were too aggressive. So, we will see if they’ve learned from those two matches,” the former pacer said.

“They have to find a happy medium and put a price on their wicket. In India, you have to build an innings on solid defence and then look at ways to score and put the pressure back on the bowlers,” he added.

McGrath further stated that the Australian bowlers have found it hard to clean up the Indian lower order which is causing them problems. He further credited the Indian spin-trio for their outstanding performance in the series so far.

They haven’t been able to come and clean up the tail: Glenn McGrath

“They haven’t been able to come and clean up the tail. The last three batters have put on 160-plus. They are the ones causing problems. Whether they got the bowling changes right? Maybe Pat Cummins could have come in earlier,” the three-time World Cup winner said.

“Little bit of reverse swing try to pick early wickets at the death there. Give credit to Indian players (Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin and Axar Patel). They know how to play on these pitches. They are spin bowlers. They know what opposition is trying to do,” the legendary seamer concluded.

India and Australia will lock horns in the third Test from March 1 in Indore. Steve Smith will be seen leading Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins, who’s flown back to Australia to be alongside his ailing mother.