Ashes 2023: Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are class players at top of their game – Pat Cummins

Australian skipper Pat Cummins lauded the duo of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne and said they are class players at the top of their game. While Smith has done a decent job in the ongoing Ashes series against England, Labuschagne has failed to convert his starts in the English conditions.

Smith has scored 190 runs in three Test matches and he scored a match-winning knock of 110 runs in the first innings of the second Test match at Lord’s.

On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne returned with scores of 21 and 33 in the third Test match at Leeds, Headingley which Australia lost by three wickets. Labuschagne has scored 144 runs in three Test matches so far at an average of 24. In fact, he has failed to go past the 50-run mark even on one occasion against the hosts.

“I think both of those guys may have moved their hotel pillows into the nets over the last couple of days, the amount of time they’ve been spending in there,” Cummins said in the press conference.

“They’re both class players at the top of their game who don’t miss out too often. They’re both looking really good. Steve has scored two hundreds this tour (including a century in the WTC Final against India) expecting big things from him as always.”

There is no doubt that Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith are Australia’s two best batters but both of them have failed to live up to the lofty expectations. Smith has a fantastic record in the English conditions and he will look to deliver the goods for the visitors in the fourth Test match.

Australia is leading by 2-1 and they will look to retain the Ashes in the fourth Test match. The fourth Ashes Test will be played at Old Trafford from 19th July onwards.