Aussie coach Andrew McDonald weighs in on Marnus Labuschagne's clouded Test future Andrew McDonald has backed Marnus Labuschagne Former world number 1 batsman in worrying form slump Likely to retain his spot for second Test versus India By NCA NEWSWIRE Published: 23:28, 26 November 2024 | Updated: 23:32, 26 November 2024 e-mail View comments Marnus Labuschagne has received clear backing from Australian coach Andrew McDonald - for now - as pressure intensifies on the former world No.1 batsman in the wake of the disastrous opening Test loss to India . Despite the 295-run thumping in Perth , McDonald said the squad would not change for the second Test in Adelaide beginning next Friday - although the fitness of all-rounder Mitch Marsh remains a 'wait and see' proposition.
Josh Inglis will remain with the squad as a potential replacement batter but something would need to shift dramatically for him to replace Labuschagne despite two ugly dismissals in Perth and a long run of poor returns. Labuschagne is averaging just 13.66 across his last five Tests, a figure flattered by the 90 he made in Christchurch in March.
He took 52 balls to make just two in the opening innings and backed that up with only three in the second in Perth, caught LBW in horror fashion after leaving a ball which was cannoning in to the stumps. Despite the lack of runs, McDonald feels Labuschagne, who has scored three Test centuries in Adelaide, was the 'player that we need.' 'We look at the way he plays, and wh.