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Former Australia pacer Mitchell Johnson opened up on Australia’s possible combination for the upcoming second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. The former Aussie pacer reckoned that Australia should drop Marnus Labuschagne from the XI for the upcoming day-night Test in Adelaide, starting from December 6 onwards.
Mitchell Johnson’s remarks came after Labuschagne’s underwhelming performance in the opening Test, which was played in Perth. The top-order batter scored two and three in the two innings and completed two catches.
Marnus should be replaced for the second Test in Adelaide: Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Jonson while writing for his column in Nightly, wrote, “Marnus Labuschagne - after a lengthy poor run with the bat - should be replaced for the second Test in Adelaide. And that’s not for the sake of having someone pay the price for the thrashing in Perth.” He opined that he should be dropped in his best interest, allowing him to regain form in domestic cricket.
"It would give him a chance to play some Sheffield Shield and club cricket away from the pressure of playing for your country. I feel he would benefit from that more than going out there trying to survive against Jasprit Bumrah and co.," Johnson added. It is to be noted that Labuschagne boasts of an impressive Test record of 4119 runs at an average of 48 from 51 matches. Despite a decent record, he has struggled in recent months. In his last 10 innings, he has crossed the double-digit mark only once.
Clarifying his comments, Johnson further added that he is and will continue to be a crucial part of Australia’s long-term plans and will have a longer future in Test cricket. “Dropping Labuschagne would not mean he doesn’t still have a long future in the Test team or that he’s the wrong player to bat at three. For the time being, in this form slump, we need him to be better - which meanns making big runs,” the 43-year-old added. Apart from Labuschagne, Johnson also raised concerns on Steve Smith’s form, adding that the Aussie batter needs to return to his sharpness, which “once defined his game.”
