One of Aussie cricket’s biggest stars divides fans with controversial act during game: ‘It’s a dog move’

Marnus Labuschagne has come under fire for choosing a rather unusual pitch formation during Queensland’s Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia.

The 30-year-old batsman was announced as the Bulls’ new permanent captain earlier this summer, succeeding Usman Khawaja in the leadership role for the 2024/25 season.

But his side faced a tough opener against the defending champions, who scored a healthy first innings score of 465.

That came courtesy of two centuries from captain Sam Whiteman and Josh Inglis, both of whom steadied the ship after Cameron Bancroft endured a nightmare start to the season, falling on the first ball of the innings.

Shortly afterwards, Jayden Goodwin was dismissed for a duck, with Queensland’s Michael Neser taking both wickets.

Neser then enjoyed an excellent first session in the field, taking five wickets at an economy of 2.72, while the captain, Labuschagne, would get himself into the action by bowling six overs on the first day.

Labuschagne opted to bowl several overs during the first innings, and was seen reconfiguring his pitch just before bowling against WA’s Josh Inglis

In his second over, the Australian international was set to face Inglis at the striker’s end, but just before he started his run-up, the Queensland captain stopped to reset his playing field.

Curiously, he called for Tom Straker to stand next to him, positioning the fielder behind the umpire. He paused again before grabbing Straker, who was wearing a maroon cap, and pulling him further forward by his trousers, putting him at the beginning of his run-up.

Labuschagne would steam in and bowl across the wicket to Inglis, but would throw his delivery short, with the ball bouncing over the batsman.

At this point the commentary team were scratching their heads, while some online hit Labuschagne, claiming he had deliberately placed a fielder wearing a red cap in the batsman’s line of sight.

Commentators were left baffled by the bizarre field position, after which Labuschagne ran in to bowl

But it appears the striker wasn’t fazed by the Queensland star’s antics, with Labuschagne bowling a bouncer

“Is he really going to stand behind the referee there?” said one commentator.

“What do you call that position, straight ahead?” he added before his co-commentator added: “I don’t know… brain fade I would call it? Makes you wonder what he’s going to do, doesn’t it? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that!’

Fans on social media were mixed on the field position, with one claiming it was a ‘dog move’.

“I’ve seen that… in local level cricket, batting at the opposition captain who was bowling to me. It’s a dog move and bad sportsmanship. I actually refused to take watch and we were at a standoff for about five minutes,” the X (formerly Twitter) user wrote.

Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to shout at the Aussie star, with one claiming it was a ‘dog move’

One called it a ‘schoolboy plot to upset the batsman’, while another said: ‘So he placed the fielder a red cap just behind his bowling arm. Stylish.’

While some said if they were in Inglis’ position they would step out of the crease.

‘If I were the batsman I would refuse to look up until that fielder in his red cap has been taken straight out of the line of the sight screen.’

Labuschagne would enjoy a decent day with the ball, taking two wickets for five runs.

Some fans praised the Australian, writing on X: ‘Marnus Labuschagne’s captaincy is always entertaining! His energy and unique style create unforgettable moments on the field. I can’t wait to watch!’

Some fans praised the Queensland star, with one saying his ‘captaincy is always entertaining’

‘And that’s exactly why it’s probably a good captain (just making the batsmen think something fishy is going on is enough to make it worth it for a while)’

“I love Marnus but God help us if he ever becomes Australia captain,” wrote another.