India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj said he enjoys bowling to out-of-form Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne. The right-hander returned with scores of two and three in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy against India at the Optus Stadium, Perth, which the visitors won comprehensively by 295 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Labuschagne was plumbed in front by Siraj in the first innings after he trudged to two runs off 52 balls. The right-hander was also dropped by Virat Kohli when he was yet to get off the mark. In the second innings, Labuschagne was trapped in front by Jasprit Bumrah when he shouldered arms to an incoming ball.

Labuschagne has struggled to get going as he has been averaging 24.5 across six Test matches in 2024.

Mohammed Siraj said on Star Sports, “I loved bowling to Marnus, enjoyed the battle because he plays under a lot of pressure. He tries to leave a lot of deliveries rather than trying to play at them. He defends and tries to show that he is confident. That is not really confidence. And my confidence is always high (laughs).”

Labuschagne’s place in the Test team has come under the scanner after his ordinary performances. However, former Australia captain Michael Clarke wants the selectors and the team management to give him a longer rope.

Clarke said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket, “I know there’s a lot of talk about Marnus being dropped, but I hope they give him another crack. I still think he’s our best option [at No.3]. I think he’s a very good player who’s out of form, but I think he can turn that around if he gets his preparation right and looks after his mind, probably even gets away from the game for a couple of days in the lead-up to this second Test.”

The second Test match between Australia and India, which will be a pink-ball game, will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 6 onwards.