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Marnus Labuschagne ahead of Ash test II He claimed that Australia did not have a ‘B-Game’ even after their two-wicket win over Edgbaston.
Australia won the match by 2 wickets after a grinding five-day battle at Edgbaston.
“I mean, I don’t think we played a B game,” Labuschagne told SEN Cricket.
“I think there were a few players who played exceptionally well, Usman (Khawaja) played really well, Nathan Lyon played exceptionally well.
“But I think all our fast bowlers – having seen them bowl for four or five years now – were certainly not the best they played, and we still had to chase only 280.
“I think there’s a lot to say about where this team is and how much improvement we can see from this team, game to game.
“I think that’s the important part for me, to win such a tight match.”
After the first Ashes Test match, there was much to speak of from the English camp that I felt they had won, given the type of cricket they played.
“I know the English language and everybody said they kind of felt like they won the game,” said Labouchagny.
“It certainly didn’t feel like that (for us), but I thought they might play better than us at certain times.
“The batsmen will probably put us under a little pressure, but at the end of the day results are what counts and we’ve come to chocolate despite playing a subpar match for this Australian cricket team.”
Labuschagny fell for a golden duck in the first innings and scored 13 runs in the second, losing his place at the top of the World Test rankings to England’s Joe Root.
Marnus Labuschagne said he is holding himself at a “higher level” after struggling in the opening Ashes test and is looking forward to rediscovering the higher level in time for the second game at Lord’s.
“I was very disappointed with those two packages, to be honest,” Labuschagne said.
“I think they were very poor in the sense that I haven’t been out that way for very long, kind of playing a couple of poor shots very early in my innings.
“Hopefully that’s a good lesson to learn out there and make sure you make the right changes that lead to this game.”
Labuschagne hopes for a further life in the Lord’s lot.
“Whatever kind of wicket they’re eating, I’m certainly happy to play on it,” said Labuschagne.
“I like wickets that have a bit more pace and bounce, and if that means more seam action, that’s fine.
“But I think everyone would like to see a wicket with a little more life than the one at Edgbaston.
“The cricket was definitely very entertaining, the ball spinning a bit, the way England played was definitely aggressive and attacking, which is good.
“But I think wicket ownership dictates a little bit about the way you have to play it would be something more interesting to see.”
The second Ashes Test match begins at Lord’s on Wednesday.
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