Marnus Labuschagne reveals R. Ashwin’s bowling strategies

Many have referred to the match between Marnus Labuschagne and Ravichandran Ashwin as a contest between “two of the greatest cricket theorists.” Even though Ashwin poses a threat to the entire Australian batting lineup, the matchup between him and Marnus Labuschagne is perhaps the one that has fans most interested. When questioned about Ashwin’s bowling technique, Australian batter Labuschagne acknowledged that the off-spinner occasionally would bowl “ugly” in an effort to outplay the batter.

In a Cricbuzz interview, Labuschagne acknowledged admiring Ashwin’s perspective on the game and attitude to playing it.

Marnus Labuschagne has hailed Ravichandran Ashwin as a strategist who doesn't shy away from bowling 'negative' lines to get the better of the batter.https://t.co/IBhfcQTTNb

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) February 9, 2023

“I believe Ashwin appeals to me because of this. I believe his opinions of the game, his style of thinking, the way he creates overs, and the ways he tries to get you to leave a particular place. Additionally, he could not arrive there right away. He may so harass you on the inside edge for a while before bowling a ball that he undercuts, slides away from, and catches you at first slip. While the majority of bowlers will only attempt to bowl their best ball, he will continue to mix things up. And they might go around the wicket if you exert pressure on them and counter that finest ball. And their only other choice is to work you over while attempting to silence you and the scoreboard. Get you over there, he said.

Earlier, Labuschagne has compared his conflict with Ashwin to a “game of chess.” The Indian bowler, who had travelled to Australia with the Indian team, was described by the Australian star as having “negative lines” in his bowling.

However, Ashwin makes it more like a game of chess. Few other spin bowlers are willing to bowl in a nasty manner like he is. He is prepared to bowl poorly in order to succeed. You saw it in Australia, where he simply bowled what we may refer to as “negative” lines, but it was fantastic cricket. You are preventing the batters from scoring. You are securing them with ties, ties, ties. And what he does so well is use the pressure he’s created there to attack your outer edge (like he did at the MCG). But it’s fantastic.

As a result, Smudge and I played him really well when we moved to the SCG, came up with some excellent ideas, and perhaps dictated play a little bit more. as opposed to him controlling the game like he did in the first several games. Adelaide was undoubtedly a challenging surface since the pink ball slipped on fairly sharply. During the first two sessions, the MCG rotated a lot.

As much consideration as he has put into attacking me, I believe the challenge is that he would have noticed how I swept and understood that whenever I did something, I was sweeping. I’d have to leave and make sure that my game is unpredictable and that he can’t read it when I’m sweeping or changing things around. That has improved me as a player since our previous match. And maybe that will show in this series,” he added in reference to Ashwin.