There wasn’t a player under more pressure in the Aussie side than Marnus Labuschagne entering the second Test in Adelaide, but the struggling star was able to turn his form around, with one former great pinpointing why.

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Labuschagne’s poor form over the past 12 months had been under the microscope, especially following his first Test failure where he scored just 2 and 3.

Yet in Adelaide, Labuschagne was Australia’s second best with the bat after centurion Travis Head.

The Queenslander scored a well-compiled 64 in the first innings as the Australian top order finally got going after a poor effort in the summer’s opening Test in Perth.

Aussie great and Fox Cricket’s Michael Hussey was a staunch defender of Labuschagne following the first Test, but called for more “intent” for the rest of the series from the Australian first drop.

In Adelaide, that’s what we saw from Labuschagne according to Hussey. A much more confident player who looked to score.

“There was a little bit more intent with his scoring. He looked like he wanted to score and he wanted to put a bit of pressure back on the bowlers,” Hussey told foxsports.com.au.

“He played some nice straight drives which is a really good sign he’s looking to come into the ball rather than looking to defend and survive.

“So it’s a really good sign ahead of the third Test. I’m sure he would have loved to go on with it and score a big 100, but still, it’s a step in the right direction and as long as he keeps the good, confident, positive mindset, he’ll be fine.”

While Labuschagene was feeling the heat prior to Adelaide, it was a different type of pressure that opening batsman Nathan McSweeney would have felt.

With Australia still searching for some stability up the order since the retirement of David Warner, McSweeney won the race to partner Usman Khawaja in the first Test.

He flopped on debut in Perth, but in Adelaide, McSweeney looked much better for the run and sure of himself at the crease, scoring 39 and an unbeaten 10.

Hussey says there were plenty of positive signs that McSweeney could end up being the answer.

“I really like what I see. He looks like a very well organised player,” Hussey said.

“He looks like he is right up for the challenge and the fight. He wants to face the best bowlers of the Indian attack.

“It’s a massive challenge for him. Opening the batting for Australia in your first series against India considering he’s never really opened before, he’s made a good fist of it.

“I think it would have really helped his own belief as well to get a few runs, to look confident and think ‘yeah I belong here and can mix it with those guys’.

“It’s part of the battle, the mental battle. You want to prove to yourself that you are good enough and I saw some signs there that the belief in himself is really growing.”