Marnus Labuschagne puts David Warner in his place after criticism from Aussie cricket great

Marnus Labuschagne has put David Warner in his place after questioning the criticism of his batting from the Aussie cricket great ahead of the third Test against India in Brisbane. Labuschagne was under immense pressure to return to the runs during the second Test in Adelaide and delivered with a tough half century in the first innings that set the platform for Travis Head's game-defining century that helped Australia level the Border-Gavaskar series at 1-1.

It was a gutsy knock that began under the lights with the pink ball in Adelaide but Labuschagne still did not appear to be back to his free-flowing best. And the 30-year-old undid much of his good work by getting out cheaply to Nitish Kumar Reddy when he square cut a ball straight down Yashasvi Jaiswal's throat at gully.

The innings and method of Labuschagne's dismissal was enough to convince Warner that his former Test teammate was not quite back to form and still struggling with issues that have seen his place in the side come under question. “I’m still not convinced with Marnus. I don’t think that was anywhere near what we know he’s capable of,” Warner told News Corp.

“He might have got a couple out of the middle, got a couple of freebies, batted well that night to get through but they bowled poorly. So from that perspective, he had the best conditions to come out and bat in. But he got out the same way he always does get out when he gets over 50, hits it straight to gully. So there’s a lack of awareness there of what he’s got to be mindful of. I don’t think he’s anywhere near where he should be.”

Marnus Labuschagne hits back at David Warner criticism

Labuschagne would have been disappointed he couldn't turn his 64 in Adelaide into a century but questioned the accuracy of Warner's criticism and suggested the comments may have been a way to make some headlines. “I’d like to see him check how many times I’ve been caught at gully, because apparently I get out there every week,” Labuschagne told The Courier Mail.

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“And I’ve looked back and I think I can only remember getting caught at gully twice. So I might have to have a look at Bull’s (Warner’s) comment there. But like I said, everyone’s here to write newspapers, write articles.” Labuschagne accepted it was almost impossible to please everyone after he was roundly panned for his overly defensive approach in Perth, before copping it in Adelaide for being too loose.

“It’s a two-edged sword,” he added. “Week before, I wasn’t playing enough shots, and then this week, people are unhappy because you’re playing too many shots. So the end of the day, I’m not here to please everyone. I’m here to win games for Australia.”

Labuschagne will be relishing a return to his home ground at the Gabba, which has typically been one of the Queenslander's favourite pitches to bat on. However, the wicket has traditionally favoured the bowlers in recent years, with only one of the past four Tests there going into the second half of day four.

Josh Hazlewood replaces Scott Boland in Aussie XI

The Aussies have made one change from the side that got the job done in the second Test in Adelaide, with the fit-again Josh Hazlewood coming back in for the impressive Scott Boland after overcoming a side strain. Hazlewood was the pick of Australia's bowlers in the first Test but Boland can consider himself unlucky to be dropped after taking 5-105 in Australia's 10-wicket win in Adelaide.

Hazlewood's return comes as a massive boost for Australia though, with their frontline bowling attack all available for a green-looking Gabba wicket that should offer plenty. And curator David Sandurski said a return to the December timeslot should see plenty of bite on the Gabba pitch.

“Pitches later in the season might have a bit more wear and tear, while ones early in the season usually are a bit fresher and might have a bit more in them," Sandurski said. “Generally speaking, we still prepare the pitch the exact same way every time to try and get the same good carry, pace and bounce that the Gabba is known for. We are just trying to make a traditional Gabba wicket like we do each year.”

with AAP