Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia have put a focus on turning frustrating starts into significant scores, with their Gqeberha horror show putting a focus firmly on the batting.
The tourists are yet to decide on a line up for Tuesday’s third and deciding Test against South Africa, and who may go following last week’s thumping.
Nic Maddinson is expected to be dropped and Cameron Green return, while Marnus Labuschagne’s spot is also the centre of speculation.
The Proteas teased on Sunday that if he did play they may be in his ear about a run of starts, with six of Labuschagne’s past nine scores between 30 and 49.
But in many ways, Labuschagne’s woes have summed up Australia’s batting.
Australia have been 4-95 or worse in 13 of their past 23 innings, while two players have scored centuries together only once during that run dating back to last June.
In their past four Tests Australia have had six instances of batters passing 50, compared to 22 scores of between 20 and 49.
All driving home the point last week’s capitulation to be bowled out for 99 on their way to an innings-and-31-run defeat was a fair while coming.
“I understand that point,” Alex Carey, who conceded he also had been guilty of not making use of recent starts, said.
“We’ve had some amazing individual performances over that time, which it’s great to see. But you do also understand if that doesn’t happen, what does it look like?
“As a batting group, we’ve got to convert those starts into more runs and hopefully back up that one performance.
“It might not be hundreds for three batters, but if one can have a good day and two can really support him and you push that scoreboard up, that’s what we’re after.”
Australia’s batting in Gqeberha was even labelled “gutless” by former Proteas quick Vernon Philander, who claimed it was almost like the tourists had “thrown in the towel”.
“I haven’t thought of it as that,” Carey said.
“I know as a batting group we’re really proud and it wasn’t up to our standards.
“However that would like to be (described) in the commentary box or in the media, that’s totally up to them.”
Carey’s comments came as Proteas wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton suggested South Africa would be ready to try to get into Labuschagne’s head over his run of starts.
Marco Jansen engaged in some byplay with Labuschagne last week, with both hailing from Klerksdorp in South Africa’s northwest and able to speak Afrikaans.
“Marco will always look to exploit that (run of starts). The first highlight for him is they can chat in Afrikaans to each other,” Rickelton said.
“And the crowd also jumps in on that as well.
“Obviously Marnus isn’t the only one under a bit of heat in both sides. All of us are in various ways.
“With Marco’s aggression, they have had a good contest in the past.”
