Marnus Labuschagne was obviously disappointed not to have converted his hundred into a big one at the Gabba on Friday, especially after getting a reprieve when still 13 short of a half-century.
He is also aware that his dismissal against the run of play helped a depleted Indian side crawl back into the game, accepting that Australia would have been in an even better position had he not thrown his wicket away.
“I’m definitely disappointed not to get a bigger score, which could have put us in a better position. But nice to see Greenie (Cameron Green) and Tim (Paine) finish it off well after we lost two quick wickets,” the Australia No.3 batsman said during a virtual media conference after the first day’s play of the final Test, which is being broadcast on Sony Six and Sony Ten channels.
“Having said that, all the batters are going to make their own assessment of the way they got out. Everyone gets judged harshly, but you yourself are your harshest critic. Everyone’s going to look at their own dismissals and think what better they could’ve done in that case,” Labuschagne added.
The current circumstances, together with the Brisbane heat, make it far more mentally challenging to maintain the concentration level, Labuschagne said.
“It’s tough out there. Currently, the physical and mental (challenges) and to just try and ensure that you’re staying on, doesn’t matter who’s bowling out there, you need to have 100 per cent concentration. Especially in Brisbane, it gets very hot and humid, so you know if you keep the bowlers out there, it’s really tough to keep backing up.
“It’s definitely a mental challenge at this time of the series and with the way things are,” he said.
The dryness in the wicket, not something usual at the Gabba, could trouble batsmen further as the Test progresses, Labuschagne feels.
“The wicket looks drier than what it normally would be. Those things could add some value as we go into Day II, III, IV and V,” he said.
Labuschagne lauded the efforts of the Indian bowlers, indicating that despite their inexperience, they made him work hard for his runs.
