there are still a lot of questions that the Aussie batting needs to answer during their second Test against Bangladesh at Mackay from August 22, where they would be playing to avoid an embarrassing series whitewash, having lost the first Test at Darwin by nine wickets While Jake Weatherald has been dropped from the second Test. Former Australian cricketer Ian Chappell slammed selectors for their poor calls in the aftermath of the loss to Bangladesh at Darwin, calling for some big changes within the set-up.
Since his final Test ton against England during the Ashes tour to the UK in 2023, Marnus has been averaging 25.23 in Tests, having made just 959 runs across 42 innings, with only nine fifties to his name, with a best score of 90.
Speaking to nine.com.au, Chappell said, “If you pick the wrong people in the first place, you can get into trouble. He also said that the selectors should not persist any longer with Marnus Labuschagne at number three; needing no more evidence of his struggles, they should urge Steve Smith to move up to the one-down spot. That is bulls**t,” Chappell said. I’m not too sure about that,” Chappell said. “If you look at their Shield record, averages in the 20s should not get you into an Australian side,” he added.
Patches of brilliance have been there, but with a series against Bangladesh at stake, time seems to be running out for Australia’s premier number three. “He is there to make centuries, and you are batting him at seven. What is that? “I think Kellaway and Peake have got talent, but are they ready?
“He’s not a Test player,” Chappell signed off.
