Ashes: ‘I’m not a selector but I will say …’ – Australia batter drops selection updates ahead of crucial 3rd Test against England | Cricket News
Australia face selection decisions ahead of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide as they aim to secure the series against England. Their commanding 2-0 lead came after an eight-wicket victory in Brisbane on Sunday, with more than a week’s break before the next ICC World Test Championship match at Adelaide Oval on December 17.Team captain Pat Cummins is expected to return to the playing eleven. The team management will assess the fitness of opener Usman Khawaja and fast bowler Josh Hazlewood before the upcoming match.The Australian team might consider bringing back experienced spinner Nathan Lyon, who was left out of the Brisbane day-night Test. Marnus Labuschagne has indicated that selectors will prioritise team balance based on Adelaide’s conditions. “I’m not a selector, but what I will say is the same way they (selectors) looked at this game, they looked at the game objectively and said what was the best way for us to win this game with all the information we have on pink-ball cricket,” Labuschagne said, as quoted by the official ICC website.“What plays, what favours it’s been (in past Tests). Is it pace or whatever that is or what type of bowler? And then they make the decision.”The potential return of Cummins, Hazlewood, and Lyon could mean disappointment for some players. Michael Neser, Scott Boland, and Brendan Doggett impressed during the Gabba victory.Neser’s performance was particularly noteworthy, claiming five wickets in England’s second innings. This achievement didn’t surprise Labuschagne.“To see him take five wickets with an old ball…it was awesome,” he added. “There was a moment earlier in the season where I was just like, ‘Man, I hope he gets his chance.'”“I saw the writing on the wall there that there’s potential and for him to be able to come in and deliver I think there was little bit of nerves that first innings and then to come out second innings and play that role, get a five-for, I was just so happy.“He just keeps delivering and delivering and we didn’t see the best of his batting either and I think that’s probably the exciting part as well is he’s got a lot to offer with not only the ball but that (batting) and his fielding.”Labuschagne has shown consistency in the first two Ashes Tests. He scored 128 runs with two half-centuries in four innings, ranking as the third-highest run-scorer across both teams.He credited Australia’s new opening pair, Jake Weatherald and Travis Head, for easing his role at number three. He also attributed his success to his ability to adapt to different conditions early in his innings.“I pride myself on being able to read the conditions and play what’s in front of me and what is necessary at certain times. It’s been nice to come off the back of momentum and be able to put the bowlers under pressure from the start of my innings.“I’ve really enjoyed that but, you know, it’s once again, it’s each game on its own, trying to read the conditions and read what the team needs.”
