Australia's Labuschagne nods off in India match before being woken to bat

09 June 2023 , 14:51

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Marnus Labuschagne was sleeping when he called into bat (Image: @SkyCricket/Twitter)

Marnus Labuschagne was enjoying 40 winks during day three of the World Test Championship final - before having to wake up and bat!

The Australian No 3 was seen, fully padding up, nodding off on the team balcony as his side started their second innings. The opening pair of Usman Khawaja and David Warner walked out with their side in a command, having earlier dismissed India for 296 - giving them a lead of 173.

But Rohit Sharma's bowlers were fired up early on, with Mohammed Siraj having Warner caught behind in the fourth over for 1. And just seconds before the dismissal, Sky TV cameras had shown Labuschagne flat out asleep with his feet up on a chair.

The roar of the Indian fans at the fall of the wicket soon woke him from his slumber though, and the 28-year-old rose sharply before seemingly composing himself and heading down the steps. And the footage had the commentary team amused, with Ravi Shastri saying: "And Labuschagne the alarm is sounded - he's got to get up."

Former Aussie coach Justin Langer added: "And there's the alarm, it's gone off. Marnus Labuschagne, don't worry about the beeping alarm in the morning, this time it's the Indian crowd who were up."

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Analysing the incident during the tea interval, pundit Matthew Hayden added: "Come on wake up son." And sure enough, the Glamorgan player soon had to come to his senses when second ball, he was struck on the hand by Siraj.

A frenzied period followed as the Indian seamers bowled aggressively in a bid to get back in the game, but Khawaja and Labuschagne survived. The pairing walked off at 23-1, taking the overall lead to 196.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Will England regain the Ashes this summer? Comment below.

Labuschagne shot to his feet at the fall of the wicket (@SkyCricket/Twitter)

The Test not only represents a chance for Australia to be crowned world champions in the five-day format, but it also serves as their final match preparation before the Ashes gets underway at Edgbaston on June 16. And the current holders of the urn haven performed ominously thus far, with Steve Smith and Travis Head notching centuries in the first innings total of 469.

Skipper Pat Cummins then took 3-83 with the ball, with Scott Boland also impressive with his 2-69. However, England skipper Ben Stokes has promised to adopt the team's new 'Bazball' approach this summer irrespective of the Australian attack.

England have not beaten their arch rivals in a test series since 2015. But under Stokes and coach Brendan McCullum they have enjoyed an extraordinary revival in the red ball game, winning eight of their 10 Tests.

Fraser Watson