Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne is a real entertainer. The number one-ranked Test batter has been scoring runs for fun in the format of the game, however, Australia’s number 3 is also known for his antics on the field. The third and final Test match of the series between hosts Australia and South Africa got underway at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday, January 4, with Australia batting first in the series finale.
Australia’s decision to bat first in the series finale backfired after they lost the double centurion from the previous match, David Warner, for just 10 runs in the fourth over. But that remained the only joyous moment for the visitors in the first session as Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne consolidated for the home side after that early setback. Meanwhile, Labuschagne called for a cigarette lighter to repair his helmet during his time at the crease.
Watch the video here:
Umm.. not sure they can get you that Marnus.😛#MarnusLabuschagne | #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/y7vnMnZqeN
— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) January 4, 2023
Australia are again in a strong position
Labuschagne was uncomfortable with something in his helmet and wanted to fix it by burning it. Thus, Labuschagne asked for a lighter but in an unusual yet hilarious. Labuschagne did a gesture of lighter first followed by mimicking smoking a cigarette. Not only he conveyed that he wanted the lighter by shadow smoking but also a couple of ways how it is done.
Labuschagne went on to register his 14th half-century in red-ball cricket and remains unbeaten on 73 as bad light stopped play on the first day. He even survived a contentious call by the umpires when he was caught at the slips, only for the on-field decision to be overturned by the third umpire.
Earlier, Usman Khawaja was given out LBW trying a reverse sweep, but he reviewed and saved by a bit of glove and remains unbeaten on 51. Tea was taken early due to poor visibility at the venue as Australia headed into the break in a strong position with the scoreboard reading 138/1 after losing Warner early in the innings.
