Australia cricketer Marnus Labuschagne built his 'perfect batter' and named the shots he would like to include in its arsenal. He picked India cricket great Sachin Tendulkar's straight drive as one of the shots for his perfect batter.
Speaking in a video for cricket.com.au, Labuschagne said Tendulkar's straight drive was "crisp and pure". The legendary India batter is considered as one of the best when it comes to playing the straight drive, and his execution of the shot was close to perfection.
Apart from Tendulkar, Labuschagne also included India Test captain Virat Kohli's cover drive and Ricky Ponting's pull-shot. He likes the energy Kohli brings onto the ball while playing the cover drive.
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“For a righty, I’m gonna start with a Sachin Tendulkar’s straight drive. That was a shot you loved seeing. So crisp and pure. Then I’m gonna go with Ponting’s pull shot - his trademark. Everyone loved seeing the full flow of that,” he said.
“I’m gonna have to go with Virat Kohli’s cover drive. I think the way he plays it, the sort of energy that he brings on that ball. Then Kevin Pietersen’s that sort of leg-side shot. Also Pietersen’s aggression at the crease. I love the way he was at the crease. Very similar to Virat Kohli,” he added.
The 27-year-old further named his Australia teammate Steve Smith, former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis, and former Aussie all-rounder Andrew Symonds.
“I’m gonna have to go with Steve Smith’s hunger for runs and determination and adaptability. And then I have to get Jacques Kallis’ temperament and ability to stay at the crease. Andrew Symonds’ hundred with Haydos (Matthew Hayden). Where he jumped and gave Haydos a big hug. That was awesome,” he said.
To build a perfect left-hander, Labuschagne named ex-Australia batter Matthew Hayden for off-drive, Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara for his cover drive, and Justin Langer for his cut shot.
“For the left-hander, I’m gonna start with Hayden’s off-drive and also his energy at the crease. There’s no better, purer cover driver of a cricket ball than Kumar Sangakkara. Cut shot - I’m gonna go with Justin Langer. More of a square drive," he said.
“It’s quite tough and we have to move Huss (Mike Hussey) from the cover drive but I will give him the pull shot. Alastair Cook’s ability to get in and go big. Cooky when he got going, was just all over. I tell you what, I didn’t mind the bow after 300 ( speaking on David Warner’s triple hundred vs Pakistan). We tease him about it but I think that was pretty good," he added.
