No stress over underperforming Australian Test batters

Down on form, Marnus Labuschagne has received backing from Australia's captain and coach. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

Pat Cummins says there is "absolutely not" pressure on Marnus Labuschagne's spot as Australia's first drop endures the leanest spell of his Test career.

Australia's batters are in focus heading into the second Test in New Zealand after a run of below-par scores.

Cam Green's mighty 174 was the difference between the two sides in Wellington, where Australia posted a 172-run win to retain the Trans-Tasman Trophy.

It also hid the fact that no other recognised batsman was able to post more than 40 through the Test, with Nathan Lyon top-scoring with 41 in the second innings.

Plenty under-achieved, with Steve Smith contributing 31 runs all Test and Travis Head just 30. 

Steve Smith
Steve Smith managed 31 runs in total in the first Test in his new spot as opener.

Labuschagne made one off 27 balls and two off 16 at the Basin Reserve, edging one to first slip and another off his legs to prolong his streak of outs.

The 29-year-old hasn't topped 10 in his last six innings and will want runs at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, where the second Test begins on Friday.

Skipper Cummins said Labuschagne was "absolutely not" in danger of losing his place, with selectors favouring class over form.

"I think he'd be the first to admit he'd like to score some more runs," Cummins said.

"We're very clear that these six guys are the six best batters in Australia.

"At times it might not have clicked all together at once but the story of our team has been someone's been able to stand up when they need to. So everyone's going well."

Coach Andrew McDonald was just as firm on the settled nature of the Test side - saying he believed they had Australia's best six batters as their top six - but admitted room for improvement on recent scores.

Only three times this summer have Australia topped 300 runs.

"There's many factors that go into it: surfaces, opponent, situation of games (but) we feel like we can be better," McDonald said.

"We feel as though at times we have underachieved with the bat which has left games open, probably more particularly in the third innings of games.

"We've had some chances in the third innings to really shut out the opponent and we've left the door ajar at times."

That was plain from the Basin Reserve, when their second innings 164 gave rise to the possibility of a successful Kiwi chase.

McDonald said there "wasn't any great concern" about Labuschagne and "when you're winning games of cricket the concern levels are fractionally lower".

"There's going to be some ebbs and flows in your career," he said, adding he saw "signs of energy and intent" in Labuschagne's second-innings two.

"It was only two runs so I don't want to get carried away ... but that's what we see when he's at his best," he said.

Alex Carey also had a poor Test at the crease, throwing his wicket away to ordinary deliveries in both innings.

Alex Carey
Alex Carey made scores of 10 and 3 in Wellington.

McDonald said the gloveman was disappointed but "we're not going to hang him on one innings or two innings".

In contrast to New Zealand, who have injury and form issues, Australia are set to name the same XI at Hagley Oval, with McDonald saying the pace attack all pulled up well.

"You could almost pencil it in, or pen it in, it will be the same three quicks," he said.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store