Ashes 2023: Marnus Labuschagne is the major concern for Australia in Manchester, says Nasser Hussain

By India Today Sports Desk: Former India captain Nasser Hussain has said that Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne will be a major concern for them ahead of the fourth Ashes 2023 Test at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 19.

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Writing for the Daily Mail, Hussain said Labuschagne will be a major concern for Australia in the fourth Test. Labuschagne has scored just 144 runs in six innings in the ongoing Ashes 2023 series.

“People talk about the fact that England have limited Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to one score above 50. But, for me, Labuschagne is the major concern for Australia, because Smith has made two hundreds in his last four games, starting with the World Test Championship final against India at the Oval,” wrote Hussain.

He added that Labuschagne is still scratching around for rhythm, stressing that the Australia batting coach will be the busiest man in Manchester. Labuschagne has been struggling for form lately and has not scored a fifty in his previous eight Test innings.

“Labuschagne is still scratching around for his rhythm. He’s changed guard from off stump to middle, then back to off, and he keeps playing himself in, then getting out to soft dismissals. The busiest man in Manchester will be Australia’s batting coach Michael Di Venuto, giving him all those throwdowns,” Hussain added.

Hussain further added that it will help England to get rid of Australia opener David Warner early, insisting that Warner is still capable of getting his side off to a flyer. Warner has been dismissed thrice by England pacer Stuart Broad in this series, and has scored just 141 runs in six innings.

“It will help England’s task if they keep getting David Warner early. And Warner, for all his struggles against Stuart Broad, remains the kind of player who will go at you. He is still capable of getting Australia off to a flyer. If he succeeds, Labuschagne’s chances improve,” Hussain added.

Leading the five-match series 2-1, Australia will take on England in Manchester on July 19.