Ashes 2023: Marnus Labuschagne is the foremost concern for Australia in Manchester, says Nasser Hussain

By India Today Sports Desk: Former India captain Nasser Hussain has stated that Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne shall be a serious concern for them forward of the fourth Ashes 2023 Test at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 19.

Ashes 2023: Full Coverage

Writing for the Daily Mail, Hussain stated Labuschagne shall be a serious concern for Australia within the fourth Test. Labuschagne has scored simply 144 runs in six innings within the ongoing Ashes 2023 sequence.

“People talk about the fact that England have limited Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to one score above 50. But, for me, Labuschagne is the major concern for Australia, because Smith has made two hundreds in his last four games, starting with the World Test Championship final against India at the Oval,” wrote Hussain.

He added that Labuschagne continues to be scratching round for rhythm, stressing that the Australia batting coach would be the busiest man in Manchester. Labuschagne has been struggling for type recently and has not scored a fifty in his earlier eight Test innings.

“Labuschagne is still scratching around for his rhythm. He’s changed guard from off stump to middle, then back to off, and he keeps playing himself in, then getting out to soft dismissals. The busiest man in Manchester will be Australia’s batting coach Michael Di Venuto, giving him all those throwdowns,” Hussain added.

Hussain additional added that it’ll assist England to eliminate Australia opener David Warner early, insisting that Warner continues to be able to getting his facet off to a flyer. Warner has been dismissed thrice by England pacer Stuart Broad on this sequence, and has scored simply 141 runs in six innings.

“It will help England’s task if they keep getting David Warner early. And Warner, for all his struggles against Stuart Broad, remains the kind of player who will go at you. He is still capable of getting Australia off to a flyer. If he succeeds, Labuschagne’s chances improve,” Hussain added.

Leading the five-match sequence 2-1, Australia will tackle England in Manchester on July 19.

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