Australian speedster Mitchell Starc revealed Marnus Labuschagne’s reaction to his viral doze-off video just before the dismissal of David Warner in the 2nd innings of the Ultimate World Test Championship against India in Kennington, Oval.
After bowling out the Indian team for 296 runs in the 1st innings, Australian opener David Warner and Usman Khawaja walked onto the bat, with the number three batter Labuschagne having a slight nap just before the dismissal of Warner, where he rushed on to bat in 4th over of the innings, in t1he middle fiery spell by the Indian speedster Mohammed Siraj.
Speaking to the media, after the end of Day 3, Mitchell Starc opened up about the Marnus Labuschagne little doze-off during the 2nd innings of the game, where the World No.1 batter said that it helped to switch on quickly to bat, as he had few nasty blows in the body due to the invariable bounce in the surface and lauded him for batting very well in the final session of the Day 3 to put the team in comfortable position ahead of Day 4.
“I think he mentioned it when he came off actually, that he was just resting or having a little doze off, so obviously he’s able to switch on pretty quickly so copped a few across the knuckles to wake him up and he’s done a very good job in that last session today as well to fight through some difficult situations there and to keep the scoreboard ticking over with obviously with Steve and then later to get through with Greenie which is nice,” Mitchell Starc said.
Marnus Labuschagne remains unbeaten on 41* runs at the end of day 3 and will look to add on some runs alongside Cameron Green in the 2nd innings for Australia to give them a massive advantage to defend the total against the formidable Indian batters on the Day 5 of the Ultimate test.
I Haven’t Spoken To Pat Cummins Yet – Mitchell Starc On Declaration Decision
Mitchell Starc revealed that the Australian team management hasn’t thought about the declaration as of now day 3, as the team would look to bat on day 4 to put up the biggest total on board to post a match-winning total in 2nd innings of the game and reckons that they will look to utilize on the conditions once they come on to bowl against Australia.
“I haven’t spoken to Pat (captain Pat Cummins) yet, so I don’t know and it’s not my decision, but I think we will keep batting for now, We have still got two days to play. The weather’s been good and I think it’s warmer tomorrow. Hopefully, the pitch starts playing a few more tricks but as far as I know it, we are still going to be batting tomorrow,” Mitchell Starc said.
The Left-arm pacer will be an important player for the Australian team in the 2nd innings as he is expected to bowl in tandem alongside skipper Pat Cummins and Scott Boland to help their team win the maiden World Test Championship final in Kennington Oval.