Wake up, Marnus! The Australian star’s nap is cut short after David Warner’s early dismissal in the second innings of their World Test Championship final
- Marnus Labuschagne was awakened from his nap in the Oval
- The Aussie sprang into action after David Warner’s firing
- Australia has taken a strong lead in the second innings
Marnus Labuschagne could hardly be faulted for wanting to close his eyes after a long spell in the sun on the Oval.
But David Warner’s early dismissal in the second innings of Australia’s World Test Championship final against India forced the No. 3 to wake from his slumber, and he looked less than pleased.
Australia, who had knocked out India for 296 on Day 3 of the flagship test, held a strong lead of 173 as Warner and Usman Khawaja made their way to the London crease.
Veteran opener Warner didn’t hang around too long, however, and fired a throw from Mohammed Siraj through to the keeper to score just one run.
Labuschagne, sleeping with his feet on the balcony, was awakened by the rowdy Indian mob and when he realized what had passed before him, he hurriedly grabbed his gloves, club and helmet.
Marnus Labuschagne was caught napping during Australia’s second innings
But David Warner’s sacking meant he had to wake up early to get to the crease
The world’s top-ranked Test batsman made just 26 runs in the first innings and will hope to help his side out of sight this time with an impressive strike.
Australia overcame a morning of sloppiness by knocking out India for 296 to take a first innings lead of 173 runs in the final of the World Test Championship.
After spilling three chances in the first session and Pat Cummins being denied a second wicket by a no-ball before lunch on day three, Australia followed suit more methodically.
Guilty of spilling the easiest catch of the day in the morning, Cameron Green started the rot when he latched on to a screamer to remove Ajinkya Rahane for 89 after the break.
Rahane had been India’s luckiest batsman, surviving a lbw at 17 on Thursday night when Cummins went too far.
He was also knocked down by David Warner after a miscommunication with wicket-keeper Alex Carey on Friday morning, during a period when the Indian star took it to Australia.
He regularly skinned the ball through offside, particularly pleased against both Green and Nathan Lyon in a 119-run tally with Shardul Thakur.
But Rahane’s luck ran out after lunch, when Green reached out and grabbed a Cummins ball that had flown off Rahane’s bat and seemed to go way past him at the gully.
Cummins then cleared Umesh Yadav as he bowled him on five to finish 3-83, before Green (2-44) removed Shardul Thakur on 51.
Mitchell Starc finished 2-71 after trailing Mohammed Shami to end the innings.
Scott Boland (2-47) was again close to Australia’s best with the ball, taking the wicket from KS Bharat (five) in the first on Friday to further cement his Ashes claims.
Labuschagne hopes to improve on the meager 26 runs he scored in his first innings
The Victorian seamed the ball back a good length to clear Bharat’s ball off the stump, the kind of ball Steve Smith described on Thursday as most dangerous in England with Boland’s shorter stature.
Australia expects to have Josh Hazlewood back next Friday for the first test at Edgbaston.
All eight of Boland’s Tests came with one from the front line unavailable, but with each England run he moved closer to selection.
Data from analysts CricViz shows Boland has delivered 56 percent of balls on a good line and length over the past three years, a higher ratio than any other Test bowler.
Boland was unlucky not to have a second wicket in the opening of the day as he dropped Thakur to a jumping Usman Khawaja at third slip.
Thakur then survived a second chance in eight, when Green dropped the regulation catch at the gully at Cummins.
And the Indian No. 8 got lucky again as he was trapped by Cummins before lunch, only for replays to show that the Australian captain had gone too far.
It was one of six no-balls for Cummins, a problem he must resolve before the Ashes.
