‘Trying to be perfect can drive you mad’: Why Labuschagne is battling, and what he must do to rise
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The man behind Marnus Labuschagne’s rise to the top has blamed the star batter’s defensive mindset for his quiet Ashes series, and urged him to keep things simple to overcome the biggest challenge of his Test career.
Batting whisperer Neil D’Costa, whose former proteges include Michael Clarke and the late Phillip Hughes, is adamant Labuschagne is not out of form but says his pupil’s approach is being clouded by the quest for perfection.
The find of Australia’s Ashes defence four years ago, Labuschagne is yet to hit his straps this time in England, reaching doubles all but once without reaching 50 in his eight innings this tour, including the World Test Championship final against India.
The runs have not exactly slowed to a trickle for Labuschagne, but they are not flowing as freely since the start of the home series against South Africa last summer.
A dejected Marnus Labuschagne walks after losing his wicket, caught by Harry Brook off the bowling of Moeen Ali.Credit: Reuters
Labuschagne is averaging 33 in this period, bringing his Test average down from nearly 61 to 53.8, though many of those games have come in difficult conditions for batting, particularly on the spin-friendly tracks of India.
His dismissal in the second innings at Headingley, followed quickly by Steve Smith’s, has been widely seen as a key moment in the third Test, won by England to keep the series alive. Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara said “he almost sleepwalked into that sweep”.
Labuschagne is also facing the real pressures of juggling his job as Australia’s Test No.3, and parenting responsibilities to a baby on tour. There were comical scenes last month when cameras panned on Labuschagne, the next man in, being woken from a nap by fans celebrating the fall of a wicket.
D’Costa said Labuschagne, down from No.1 in the world Test batting rankings at the start of the Ashes to three currently, had spoken to him and Australia’s batting coach Michael Di Venuto about taking a more proactive approach at the crease.
He said Labuschagne had become too preoccupied with survival, and this was affecting his strokeplay. Labuschagne’s strike rate this year of 43 is well down from 63 last year, and his career mark of 53.5.
“He’s a bit later on the ball that he can score on,” D’Costa said. “He’s taking on that responsibility – ‘I’ve got to get through the new ball as deep as I can to lead the team to clearer waters’.
“He can still do that and score, and let everything be a bit more natural. We like him to look to score and defend on instinct.
“Just at the moment if he freed himself a bit – we’re not talking about boundaries, just more positive pushes that bring about ones and twos. I don’t think we’ve seen enough of those.”
D’Costa said Labuschagne, renowned for his numerous theories on batting and meticulous preparation, was overthinking the game.
“Sometimes Marnus tries to be perfect – but that’s not possible,” D’Costa said. “Trying to be perfect can drive you mad.
“It’s like any sportsman – bring yourself back, get the simple structures right and everything else will fall into place. He’s only one or two shots away from being where he was.
“Marnus is always ready to play. I do not endorse this form rubbish. You can either play or you can’t.
“We have had a quick chat about this, as he had with Diva. Every player is his best coach and our job is to assist. Marnus, I am sure, will make the necessary adjustments.”
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