Labuschagne had a horrid time in Australia\u2019s drawn 1-1 Test series against the West Indies, making just 19 runs in four innings. Moreover, he has scored just one century and six half-centuries in his last 18 Test matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think the big question at the moment that this Australian cricket team has at the moment is the numbers three and four, in particular, Marnus. He got knocked over by Alzarri Joseph with a rising steeping bumper, which you could forgive him for in the first innings but it was the second innings.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was almost the identical dismissal, but it was against (Joseph) Greaves who was bowling 120 (km\/h). I\u2019m not sure what\u2019s quite off with Marnus at the moment but it\u2019s been quite a significant lean patch, he has got some back-to-back 60s this summer.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cYou need your three and four to be bankers, when your four is Cameron Green who you\u2019re trying to encourage to get into this system you really need your three to stand up and step forward,\u201d said O\u2019Keefe on SEN Radio.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After the second Test ended, where West Indies scripted an unforgettable eight-run win over Australia at The Gabba, head coach Andrew McDonald said to reporters that he was confident of Labuschagne to rediscover his best form with the bat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think the positive within that (is that) the law of averages suggests that he\u2019s due for a couple of bumper Test matches and series, so we\u2019ve got trust and faith in the way that he goes about his preparation, the way he goes about his innings.\u2019<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been undone by certain plans at times, so there\u2019s no doubt that we will get into that. We\u2019ve got full confidence in his ability to rebound. He\u2019s a quality player. There\u2019s no doubt that you\u2019re going to go through some lulls of form if you want to call it that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia\u2019s next Test assignment is a two-match series against New Zealand, starting on February 29. O\u2019Keefe felt Steve Smith has brushed aside concerns over his life as a Test opener, from his 91 not out at The Gabba against the West Indies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ve answered the Steve Smith (question). On any other given day that 91 (not out) is a match-winning (performance), it\u2019s a man-of-the-match performance. He nearly gets a 100 and brings Australia home but that wasn\u2019t the script.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/01\/steve-okeefe-raises-questions-over-marnus-labuschagnes-significant-lean-patch-in-tests.jpeg", "alt_img": "Steve O\u2019Keefe raises questions over Marnus Labuschagne\u2019s significant lean patch in Tests", "alt_title": "Ashes 2023: Labuschagne's dismissal in 2nd innings at Headingley showed he's struggling with himself", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Steve O\u2019Keefe Raises Questions Over Marnus Labuschagne\u2019s Significant Lean Patch In Tests On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Steve O\u2019Keefe Raises Questions Over Marnus Labuschagne\u2019s Significant Lean Patch In Tests, Marnus Labuschagne: Former Australia spinner Steve O\u2019Keefe has raised questions over Marnus Labuschagne\u2019s significant lean patch in Test cricket, and.", "seo_keywords": "Marnus Labuschagne, Former Australia, West Indies, Alzarri Joseph, Cameron Green, SEN Radio, The Gabba, Andrew McDonald, New Zealand, Steve Smith", "tag": "", "tagging": "Marnus Labuschagne, Former Australia, West Indies, Alzarri Joseph, Cameron Green, SEN Radio, The Gabba, Andrew McDonald, New Zealand, Steve Smith", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "steve-okeefe-raises-questions-over-marnus-labuschagnes-significant-lean-patch-in-tests", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "762", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-01-29 15:08:03", "updated": "2024-01-29 15:08:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Marnus Labuschagne, Former Australia, West Indies, Alzarri Joseph, Cameron Green, SEN Radio, The Gabba, Andrew McDonald, New Zealand, Steve Smith", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-01-29 15:08:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "england_cricket": "0", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/steve-okeefe-raises-questions-over-marnus-labuschagnes-significant-lean-patch-in-tests-137093" }