"I'm going to get them anyway, so I might as well dish them out" - Marnus Labuschagne warns Team India about bouncer barrage in BGT 2024/25
Australian batting talisman Marnus Labuschagne hopes to unleash a bouncer barrage on Team India's batters during the upcoming five-Test series. With the South African-born cricketer practising medium-pace bowling in recent times, Labuschagne said he wants to become a player who can bowl both pace and spin.
The 30-year-old, who has often bowled leg-spin in international cricket, sent down some medium-pace deliveries in Shield cricket. During a recent practice session at the Optus Stadium in Perth, the right-handed batter also sent down a short-pitched delivery to Pat Cummins.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (November 19), the prolific Test batter said he expects plenty of bouncers when he bats; hence, he wishes to give it back to the tourists too. He said, as quoted by Perth Now:
"Look, you've got to go at the top, don't you? I bowled one bouncer, and I think Mitchell Starc said, 'You've got short memories'. And I said, 'Well, I'm going to get them (bouncers directed at me) anyway, so I might as well dish them out'. But yeah, like I said, practice like you play. I would love nothing more than to be that guy who can bowl both medium pacers and spin."
Nevertheless, it is the right-hander's returns with the bat that will be crucial for Australia if they are to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Queensland batter was the highest run-getter (426) during the 2020-21 leg, but Australia lost the series.
"There was a bit of worry when I bowled 28 overs of pace in a Shield game" - Marnus Labuschagne
Labuschagne further stated that he has always bowled more pace over spin, trusting the durability of his body. On this, he added:
"There was a bit of worry (from CA staff) when I bowled 28 overs of pace in a Shield game and my workloads were zero before then. Some would say that's a big spike. But my body's pretty durable, touch wood. And it's something that I've done from a young age - I've always bowled pace."
The opening Test between Australia and India begins on November 22 in Perth.