Watch: Marnus Labuschagne was seen shooing away pigeons with his bat during the Boxing Day Test match against Pakistan at the MCG on day one, with seamer Hasan Ali later running towards them as well.
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After the fifth ball of the 48th over of Australia’s innings, a flock of pigeons settled down on the outfield at the MCG, with the birds being a “menace” throughout the day. Labuschagne, who was at the non-striker’s end decided to take the matter into his own hands and looked to chase them away by running towards them. He also decided to hold his bat as a weapon and waved them around as he ran into the birds.
He was only partly successful as the pigeons flew away only to assemble at a spot further down the outfield. Hasan then decided to be the one to fly them away: He ran towards them, waving his hands wildly, imitating a flying gesture.
Australia ended the day at 187-3, with Labuschagne unbeaten on 44. Hasan, playing his first Test in nearly a year, dismissed Usman Khawaja for 42.
Watch Labuschagne and Hasan Ali chasing pigeons away:
Got to get the pigeons away somehow 😂#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/TVAJ2YytZk
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2023