Last Updated on 4 years ago by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Can Australia play both Smith & Labuschagne in ODIs? | Marnus Labuschagne looking to nail down ODI spot

Batsman Marnus Labuschagne is eager to adapt to the middle-order to fit in Australia’s One Day International (ODI) setup.

The 28-year-old could garner only 116 runs in five innings at an average of 23.20 in five games in Australia’s previous ODI series in Sri Lanka. Labuschagne confesses that he wished to apply his batting methodologies from the Test format a more in ODIs.

“Looking back on it, I certainly wish I’d played a slightly different way. I almost started a little too defensively so I’m just reviewing my theories there and wished I’d applied my Test method a little bit more in those conditions; sweeping the ball, using my feet a little more. It was a bit disappointing from my end, that I didn’t really do that until the Test series came. For me, it’s a learning experience,” he was quoted in a report by ESPNCricinfo.

Marnus Labuschagne looking to take off in ODI cricket alongside Steve Smith

Whilst Labuschagne has been a revelation in Test cricket, his ODI career hasn’t really taken off in a similar pace. He has notched 677 runs in 21 games at an average of 33.85. The batsman has still scored a century along with four half-centuries. However, the dynamics of the ODI XI is such that he has had to adjust to a new role altogether in the middle-order.

“I always like batting in the top order, I’ve spent my whole life there, but understanding the team make-up, batting at No. 5, I need to continue to get better at that role and through the middle overs understanding when to attack and defend,” the batsman told the aforementioned website.

He even applauded the coaching staff for trusting the players to take the game on and put the pressure back on the opposition. However, there exists doubts over whether there is enough space to accommodate both Smith and Labuschagne in the Australian ODI side. The two of them are largely perceived to be very similar batsmen and critics assume that slotting them at number four and five might give a one-dimensional outlook to the Australian batting unit.

Smith has been an instrumental member of the Aussie ODI setup over the years whereas Labuschagne’s exploits in Tests have expedited his inclusion in the 50-over format.

Smith has a career strike rate of 88.43 in ODIs, which is much similar to the 85.80 of Labuschagne. However, the latter strongly believes that the two of them have different approaches and even presented examples of certain games to substantiate his opinion.

“I don’t really see us as similar players, I think we attack the game very differently. [Steve] goes a lot more straight down the wicket, especially against spin, whereas I attack it quite square with sweeps. Obviously, I think there’s room for both of us. Steve got 100 off 60 balls against India in back-to-back games and feel like we complement each other depending on what the situation is,” Labuschagne opened up on the issue.

He added, “If it’s a tough wicket, we can control the middle overs, but on the other side, we can put pressure on the opposition at a lower risk and be able to score quickly. The challenge is we’ve just got to continue to push that run rate, especially when we are batting first, and we both understand that.”

In recent times, there have been criticisms over the sustainability of the ODI format with star players like Moeen Ali and Ravichandran Ashwin speaking up against its viability in the longer run. However, Labuschagne asserted that there’s enough space for the survival of the 50-over cricket. He even suggested that scheduling will play a key role in ensuring the same.

“I love 50-over cricket, it’s a good mix, you need to show some really good tactical nous, understanding your opposition, getting wickets through the middle overs and trying to score at seven or eight runs an over at low risk, that’s a different challenge in itself. I really enjoy the format, there’s space for all three, it’s just about how we schedule it,” the Queenslander was quoted in the report.