Marnus Labuschagne makes Kevin Pietersen frustrated: Not there to leave ball all day
Marnus Labuschagne's timid batting during the first innings of the World Test Championship final Day 1 on Wednesday, June 11 left Kevin Pietersen frustrated on commentary. Labuschagne, who was promoted as an opener for the WTC Final, showed a lack of intent during the first session, which was a tricky period for Australia as they lost two wickets quickly. But once Steve Smith came in to bat, he was seen trying to get runs quickly and raced to a score of 17 off just 28 deliveries. For context, it was the same score that Labuschagne was batting on after facing 49 deliveries. He was ultimately dismissed for the same score off 56 deliveries. advertisementDuring that time, Pietersen was on commentary and criticised the Australian opener. The former England skipper said that Marnus has the ability to hit the ball well but his mindset was holding him back.
"You see a lot of leaving from Marnus... Steve Smith is not going to let you go, and that's why he is one of the great players," Pietersen said in commentary. "Just on Marnus here, it is actually quite frustrating to watch. He has the ability to hit the ball really well if his body goes towards the ball, if his head goes toward the ball.""I just think it's a mindset. He has the ability, he has the eyes, he has the technique, but I just think he needs to change the way he's thinking at the moment."'Batters are out there to score runs'advertisementPietersen said that batters are out there to score runs and you cannot afford to leave the ball all day. The former England captain feels that such an approach will leave you vulnerable and the bowlers can work you over. "Batters are out there to score runs, you're not out there to leave the ball all day."You can bowl to that. If someone is just looking to leave (the ball) you can work him over. Comparing that to someone like Steve Smith - if you miss your line, miss your length, he smacks you for four."Australia ended up scoring 212 runs in the end.
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