Marnus Labuschagne has been criticized for selecting a rather unusual field configuration during Queensland’s opening Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia.
The 30-year-old batsman had been announced as the Bulls’ new permanent captain earlier this summer, succeeding Usman Khawaja in the leadership role for the 2024-25 season.
But his team faced a tough first match against the defending champions, who posted a healthy score of 465 in the first innings.
That came thanks to two centuries from captain Sam Whiteman and Josh Inglis, who steadied the ship after Cameron Bancroft endured a nightmare start to the season, falling on the first ball of the innings.
Soon after, Jayden Goodwin was dismissed for a duck, and Queensland’s Michael Neser took both wickets.
Neser enjoyed an excellent first session on the field, taking five wickets for an economy of 2.72, while the captain, Labuschagne, would spring into action, bowling six overs during the first day.
Marnus Labsuchagne has left fans divided by a strange pitch configuration during Queensland’s opening Sheffield Shield match.
Labuschagne opted to bowl several overs during the first innings and was seen reconfiguring his field just before bowling to WA’s Josh Inglis.
In his second over, the Australian international would take on Inglis at the striker’s end, but just before beginning his run, the Queensland captain stopped to reset his field.
Curiously, he called Tom Straker to come over and stand next to him, placing the defender behind the referee. He paused again for a moment, before grabbing Straker, who was wearing a maroon cap, and pulling him by his pants even further, placing him at the start of his run.
Labuschagne would come in at full speed, bowling over the wicket towards Inglis, but would bowl his delivery short, with the ball bouncing over the batsman.
The moment left the commentary team scratching their heads, while some online attacked Labuschagne, claiming he had deliberately placed a fielder in a red cap in the batsman’s line of sight.
Commentators were perplexed by the strange position on the field, and Labuschagne subsequently ran towards the pin.
But it appears the striker was unimpressed by the Queensland star’s antics, with Labuschagne throwing at a goalkeeper.
“Will he really stay there behind the referee?” said one commentator.
—What is that position called, directly? he added before his co-commentator added: ‘I don’t know…brain fade, would you call it? You wonder what he’s going to do, don’t you? I don’t think I’ve ever seen that!’
Fans on social media were divided over the field position, with one claiming it was a “dog move.”
‘I have seen that… in local grade cricket while batting against the opponent’s captain who bowled to me. It’s a dog move and lack of sportsmanship. In fact, I refused to take guard and we were in a stalemate for about five minutes,” wrote the X (formerly Twitter) user.
Fans attacked the Australian star on X (formerly Twitter) with one claiming it was a ‘dog move’
One called it “a schoolboy plot to upset the batsman”, while another said: “So he put the fielder in a red cap right behind his bowling arm.” In good tone.’
While some said that if they were in Inglis’ position, they would move away from the crease.
“If I were the hitter, I would refuse to look up until that fielder with his red hat gets out of the line of 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 make for unforgettable moments on the field. I can’t wait to see it!’
Some fans praised the Queensland star with one stating his “captaincy is always entertaining”.
“And that’s why it’s probably good captaincy (just making the batsmen think something strange is happening is enough to make it worthwhile for a while).”
“I love Marnus but God help us if he ever captains Australia,” wrote another.
