Ian Bell: Dismissing Marnus Labuschagne early will be key in Melbourne

Former England batsman Ian Bell and Ryan Harris were discussing the Ashes on the Inside Edge series with bet365.

Heading into the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne 2-0 down, England have a mountain to climb and Ashes legend Ian Bell has pinpointed who he believes has been pivotal to the success of the hosts.

“England are crying out for someone like Marnus Labuschagne who can bat for a time – he gave a masterclass in leaving the ball at the Gabba,” Bell says. “And the same really at Adelaide – he set the foundation for Steve Smith to come in later.

“Test cricket is all about getting bowlers into their third or fourth spells and that is what he has been doing well. He seems to be the key to this Ashes for Australia.

“England are going to have to find a way of getting him out early and getting Smith in. Marnus has done an incredible job of shielding Smith from the new ball – it’s frustrating to watch from an England point of view.”

And if England are to cause problems for the likes of Labuschagne, Bell believes they need to rethink the structure of their bowling attack.

“Australia were relentless with their lines and lengths and bowled fuller," he added. "Jhye Richardson, like Mitchell Starc, is faster through the air than any of the bowlers England put out.

“So there is a massive argument to say when playing five seamers, we needed someone like Mark Wood for variation, even if it is just three or four overs of pace.

“England have been going round in circles with spinners for the last 18 months.

“Jack Leach plays a game and is dropped. Dom Bess comes in for a game and is also dropped. Then we don’t play a spinner or Joe Root is frontline spinner.

“We’ve got to pick one and stick with him.”

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