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Marnus Labuschagne ahead of the second Ashes Test claimed that Australia didn’t even bring their “B-Game” duing their two wickets win at Edgbaston.
Australia won the match by two wickets after a gripping five-day battle at Edgbaston.
“I mean, I don’t think we played our B-game,” Labuschagne told SEN Cricket.
“I think there’s a few guys that played exceptionally well, Usman (Khawaja) played really well, Nathan Lyon bowled exceptionally.
“But I think all our fast bowlers – having seen them bowl for four or five years now – it was certainly not the best they’ve bowled, and we still only had to chase 280.
“I think there’s a lot to say there about where this team’s at and how much improvement we can see from this team, from one game to another.
“I think that’s the important part for me, to win a tight game like that.”
Post the first Ashes Test match there has been a lot to talk from the English camp that it felt like they won, given the brand of cricket they played.
“I know the English and everyone has said that they sort of felt like they won the game,” Labuschagne said.
“It certainly didn’t feel like that (for us), but I thought they potentially played better than us at certain times.
“Potentially, the batters put us under a bit of pressure, but at the end of the day, the results are what matters, and we’ve come up with the chocolates despite having played a below-par game for this Australian cricket team.”
Labuschagne fell for a golden duck in the first innings and scored 13 runs in the second, losing his place at the top of the world test rankings to England’s Joe Root.
Marnus Labuschagne said he holds himself to a “higher standard” after his struggles in the opening Ashes test and is looking to rediscover top form in time for the second match at Lord’s.
“I was pretty disappointed with those two dismissals to be honest,” Labuschagne said.
“I think they were pretty poor in the sense that I haven’t got out like that for a very long time, sort of playing two poor shots very early in my innings.
“Hopefully, that’s a good lesson to learn there and making sure I make the right changes leading into this game.”
Labuschagne is hoping for a bit more life in the Lord’s wicket.
“Whatever wickets they dish up, I’m certainly happy to play on,” Labuschagne said.
“I like wickets that have a bit more pace and bounce, and if that means a little bit more seam movement, that’s fine.
“But I think everyone would like to see the wicket with a little bit more life in it than the one at Edgbaston.
“The cricket was certainly still very entertaining, the ball spun a little bit and the way England played was certainly aggressive and attacking, which is good.
“But I think having the wicket dictate a little bit more how you have to play will be a bit more of an interesting thing to see.”
The second Ashes Test match begins at Lord’s on Wednesday.
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