Ashes 2023

Watch: Marnus Labuschagne sinks on haunches after falling to horror shot

by Wisden Staff July 7, 2023 - 5:28pm 3 minute read

Watch: Marnus Labuschagne could not hide his disappointment and frustration after holing out to deep square leg off Moeen Ali, sinking to his haunches before dragging himself from the pitch on the second evening of the third Ashes Test at Headingley (July 7).

Australia had built a strong position, despite an almighty assault from Ben Stokes, and were leading by 94 just one wicket down. England were also dealing with the absence of Ollie Robinson, who suffered a back spasm on day one, and had just had their woes compounded after a drop by Jonny Bairstow, who put down Labuschagne diving down the leg-side.

However, the Australian couldn’t make his life count. In the next over, he took the aggressive option against England’s off-spinner, but only succeeded in sending the ball high into the leg-side. Running in, Harry Brook dived to take a good low catch, and Labuschagne sank into a squat on seeing the catch being taken.

Speaking on Sky Sports commentary, Kumar Sangakkara described it as “a huge mistake”.

“It is very hard to explain what he was trying to do there,” added the former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper. “It was almost as if he was still lost in the previous delivery, he almost sleepwalked into that sweep. There was no intent. There was no intention to place it.”

When Labuschagne eventually left the field, he could be seen remonstrating with himself on his way back to the pavilion. Labuschagne, who came into the Ashes as the world’s No.1 ranked batter in the ICC rankings, has endured a poor tour. Including the World Test Championship final, he has failed to pass 50 in eight innings, with 211 runs at an average of 26.38. This dismissal took his average in away Tests below 40, while he averages north of 70 in Australia.