Virat Kohli's India beat Australia by 137 runs in Melbourne to move one step closer to an historic series win. Photo / Getty Images
Virat Kohli's India beat Australia by 137 runs in Melbourne to move one step closer to an historic series win. Photo / Getty Images
Australia has history on its back as it prepares to shut out India in Sydney next week.
The visitors completely humiliated the home side in Melbourne, taking a monolithic Boxing Day test win by 137 runs and a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
If they triumph at the SCG, it will be the first time India has claimed a series on Aussie shores.
In short, something drastic has to change within the home side — which has just one batsman averaging above 30 for the series so far.
But the solution, it would seem, has stumped selectors as they run around the panic room searching for answers.
Aussie skipper Tim Paine confirmed young Queensland batsman Marnus Labuschagne was added to the test squad as Australia lost its final two wickets on Sunday.
"Marnus has been added to the squad. What we're hearing is it's probably going to spin quite a bit," the defeated captain revealed at the post-match press conference. "Once we see that for ourselves we'll try and think about the best combination to win that test."
The Australian's chief cricket writer Peter Lalor was across the rumours earlier in the day, revealing selectors were looking at bringing Labuschagne into the side to bat at No 6 instead of Mitchell Marsh.
Labuschagne made his test debut against Pakistan in the UAE but failed to make his mark in the middle order, scoring 0, 13, 25 and 43.
"There is jungle drums beating loudly ... my mail is Marnus Labuschagne is looking very good for Sydney," Lalor told SEN.
"They haven't made a decision yet but they've talked to him. They're keeping him on stand by, they want him ready to go.
"It looks pretty grim for Mitch Marsh, he would come in for Mitch Marsh. If you look at it, that's the one sensible change, isn't it? Marnus has shown a little bit and he is a funky spinner, reasonable fielder and brings some great energy to the place.
"I think they see him as a long-term player, so to get some games into him when they can is a good idea, and you're not gaining much with Mitch Marsh there."
Marnus Labuschagne is a shock selection for the Australian test squad. Photo / Getty Images
But the 24-year-old's domestic numbers with both bat and ball leave a lot to be desired.
RSN host Adam White revealed since his axing from the test side, Labuschagne has averaged 28 from nine innings and taken five wickets from 76 overs at an average of 59.
White said Labuschagne was "being seriously looked at for SCG Test because of his bowling option".
The decision to pluck out a relatively young and inexperienced player, who played his last competitive match almost a month ago, was met with apprehension from fans.
Earlier, Paine took aim at the curators after Australia's loss, saying the pitches offered up so far this series have not suited the home side's style of play.
India out-bowled and out-batted Australia on a grand scale at the MCG, which was blasted on day one for producing a lifeless pitch with very little bounce or movement for the bowlers.
Marnus Labuschagne has played 5 #SheffieldShield games since his Test matches in Middle East where he averaged 20.25 with bat.
Batting: 9 innings, 254 runs @ 28.22
Bowling: 76 overs, 5 wickets @ 59.60
He's being seriously looked at for SCG Test because of his bowling option.
