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Marnus Labuschagne causes a stir by asking for a CIGARETTE LIGHTER during the Sydney Test break
- The eccentric Australian batsman asked for a lighter when he was in the SCG crease
- In form, Marnus Labuschagne was keen to burn some material from his helmet.
- Fox Sports’ Mark Howard joked that the star athlete “didn’t want a dart” during the game
Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne turned heads after bizarrely asking teammates for a cigarette lighter when he was at the crease in Sydney.
The 28-year-old South African-born star is a non-smoker: he wanted the lighter to burn some of the material on his helmet on the first day of the Third Test.
Fox Sports commentator Mark Howard quipped that Labuschagne “didn’t want a dart” in the middle: it was all about some running repairs.
Labuschagne later fired up social media after third referee Richard Kettleborough failed to stop him in a highly contentious decision.
Moments earlier, on-field umpire Paul Reiffel sent the call up with a soft signal for out, and to the dismay of the Proteas, the 2022 ICC Batsman of the Year was given a reprieve.
Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne drew attention after asking his teammates for a lighter when in the crease in Sydney during the Third Test.
The 28-year-old South African-born star doesn’t smoke: he wanted the lighter to burn off some of the material on his helmet.
South African spinner Simon Harmer insisted that he had stuck to the low catch, but after several iterations, Labuschagne was given the benefit of the doubt.
And seconds before the decision went in his favor, a confident, and many would say optimistic, Labuschagne called for the middle stump, insisting the ball was not carried.
The decision will also further fuel the ongoing talk of Labuschagne being the “luckiest man” in the world of cricket, with many cricket fans feeling the eccentric star often takes the cake.
Moments later, Marnus Labuschagne was handed over, only to be given a reprieve by the third referee (Pictured Proteas players relay their thoughts)
“I feel like the South Africans can be quite aggrieved here,” former Test batsman Michael Hussey said on Fox Cricket in discussing the result.
‘The soft signal was out. I felt the ball land on the fingers and he (Harmer) was able to pick it up.
‘His fingers are down, he hits the top of the fingers, pushed him back.
“I don’t think there is conclusive evidence to overturn that decision.”
The Proteas players were furious at the decision, led by captain under pressure Dean Elgar (second from left)
Former South African great Shaun Pollock said his compatriots would have “spit” for the result as they look to avoid a 3-0 series draw.
Not long after the Labuschagne ordeal, play was called off at the SCG due to poor lighting.
Australia are well placed on 1/138 from 43 overs, with Labuschagne unbeaten on 73, while Usman Khawaja is 51 and not out.