Cricket fans – and even Mitchell Starc – slam Marnus Labuschagne for his wild act during India’s Boxing Day Test run chase
Marnus Labuschagne is known for his enthusiasm on the cricket field, but one move has got fans on edge during India’s Boxing Day Test chase at the MCG on Monday.
Labuschagne’s gritty half-century took Australia to a 333-run lead at the end of day four, but the Aussie irked fans – and even his teammate Mitchell Starc – with his constant appeals on day five.
Several times throughout the morning, Labuschagne called on wickets that even his teammates didn’t think could fall.
On one occasion, Starc waved away Labuschagne and others after appealing against an inmate who missed the bat by what commentators described as “by a mile.”
“What on earth is Marnus seeing here,” Fox Cricket posted on social media alongside a clip of the delivery in question.
“Marnus Labuschagne shows he has no cricketing career as a test umpire,” wrote another.
Marnus Labuschagne was roasted by fans on Monday morning for his constant calls
Another posted a photo of a fan holding a sign that read: “Marnus free eye and ear checks @Specsavers.”
India will have to brave history and the vagaries of the MCG wicket if they want to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for a record-extending fifth straight series.
Australia added just six more runs on Monday after being bowled out for 234 in the second over of day five, giving them a lead of 339.
Nathan Lyon (41) and Scott Boland (15 not out), Australia’s numbers 10 and 11, made 61 in a crucial last wicket stand that shot the lead past the crucial 300 and frustrated India.
Huge crowds are expected to descend on the MCG for what could be one of Test cricket’s most memorable days.
A total of 299,329 fans have already attended this Boxing Day Test, with the all-time MCG record crowd of 350,534 set in the 1936-37 Ashes series, when Don Bradman was king, expected to fall.
Out-of-form India captain Rohit Sharma will open the batting with young superstar Yashasvi Jaiswal.
If India win they will go 2-1 up in the series and as reigning champions they will retain the trophy regardless of the fifth Test in Sydney next week.
Labuschagne is known for his enthusiasm on the field and love for cricket
But the greatest successful Test run chase on the ground came almost a century ago, when England defeated Australia 7-332 in 1928.
If India win, it will be their third highest Test run chase.
It would even beat the 7-329 they posted to win the Fourth Test at the Gabba in 2021 and claim the series.
Australia’s recovery from a shaky 6-91 late on Sunday – also helped by skipper Pat Cummins’ 41 – was the latest twist in an epic Test full of momentum swings.
Indian superstar Jasprit Bumrah finished with figures of 5-57, which gave him nine wickets for the Test and took him to 30 for the series.
Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne, who played in the 2021 defeat, said Brisbane’s wicket was a long way from the MCG pitch.
“As the game went on the bounce became more and more inconsistent,” said Labuschagne, who impressed in this Test with 72 and 70.
‘So we just get more balls hitting the stumps, and more balls sliding through.
Pat Cummins took two wickets in a single over on Monday morning
‘That makes for quite difficult batting, because more balls hit the stumps from a shorter length. Balls sliding through (and) a few balls popped up today.
‘That wicket (at the Gabba three years ago) was flat… most of the wicket was really nice.’
Just as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar turned India’s fortunes around on Saturday with their epic eighth-wicket stand, Reddy believes a good partnership on Monday will set India up for victory.
Reddy top scored with 114 in their first innings, his first Test ton.
“I feel like you need one partnership, one or two good partnerships,” he said.
“We can see later on the fourth day that it (the field) did a little more.
“But we don’t need to put more pressure on, like fields doing this or that. We have to play depending on the situation.”
Australian opening bowler Mitch Starc also noted that the enthralling match was the perfect counter to any comments that the Tests should be shortened to four days.
“This is why we have five days for a Test match and really extend it for those who want four days,” he told ABC Radio.