Australia captain Pat Cummins defended underfire Marnus Labuschagne in the post-match presentation as the hosts suffered a humiliating 295-run defeat at Perth Stadium. Cummins backed Labuschagne ahead of the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval next month.
Labuschagne scored two runs from 52 balls in the first innings before falling to Mohammed Siraj. In the run chase, he scored just three runs from five balls and contributed to the batting collapse. However, the 30-year-old has a sensational record in pink-ball Tests. He has scored 894 runs from eight Day/Night Tests at an average of 63.85 including four centuries and three half-centuries.
"Marnus, along with quite a few guys in the team didn't have the week that we would have wanted. It's no secret how hard the batters, particularly Marn, works in the nets, and he's always trying to find those small marginal gains," Cummins told the reporters after the match concluded on Day 4.
"So, this week, there'll be a lot of conversation with the coaches around, you know, maybe his approach and what he could be doing differently. We know he's a class player."
Australia to begin pink-ball Test preparations early
Cummins also said that the team will get to Adelaide earlier to begin their preparations.
"So, yeah, this week will be about those conversations. As I say, get to Adelaide a little bit earlier, maybe do an extra day or two prep leading to that second Test. But he's done it before over here. He's got a very good pink ball record.
"So I always think it's, you know, looking back at past successes when you're at your best is always a pretty good way to get yourself back on track," said the fast-bowling all-rounder.
The last time India played a Test in Adelaide, they were bowled out for their lowest score of 36. Rohit Shrama-led India will have a score to settle this time around.
