South African-born allrounder Marnus Labuschagne has been added to Australia’s squad for the fourth and final Test in Sydney in the wake of the 137-run thrashing in the third match against India in Melbourne.
Labuschagne offers another slow bowling option with his leg spin in Sydney in what is a must-win match for the hosts, who are 2-1 down heading into the final Test.
With the 24-year-old, who was born in Klerksdorp before moving to Australia with his family at the age of 10, drafted into the squad, seam-bowling allrounder Mitchell Marsh may be looking over his shoulder.
Meanwhile, India captain Virat Kohli says the world’s top batsmen will have reason to fear Jasprit Bumrah after the talented young paceman put Australia to the sword in the third Test.
Man of the Match Bumrah finished with career-best figures of 9/86, the biggest Test haul by an Indian quick in Australia.
And Kohli says: “He thinks, ‘How can I make a breakthrough for the team?'
“Your mindset separates you from the rest and he’s as strong-headed as I’ve seen anyone in the past. And that’s the key to his success.
"What I’ve seen in the last 12 months is the way he has matured in Test cricket and the way that he is bowling so soon, so quickly in his Test career, I think is a very scary sign for all the batsmen around the world.”