'Can you believe that': Aussie batsman's 'freak' dismissal stuns fans
Marnus Labuschagne was denied a maiden Test century in freakish fashion on the opening day at Headingley.
Like he did in the second innings at Lord's, Labuschagne proved to be an able deputy for the concussed Steve Smith, following up his 59 in the second Test with a fighting 71 in Leeds.
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He and David Warner put on 111 for the third wicket to have the tourists in a strong position at 2-136, before collapsing to be 179 all out in tricky batting conditions.
Labuschagne’s dismissal summed up Australia’s horrendous collapse, missing a full toss that cannoned into his thigh and left him sprawled on all fours on the pitch.
A shellshocked Labuschagne referred the lbw to DRS, which showed the ball crashing into middle stump.
“Can you believe that?” Ricky Ponting said in commentary.
Fans were also gobsmacked by the extraordinary dismissal.
I feel a bit for Marnus there. It was a fantastic Test match innings, leaving well, defending well. The sort of stuff we love. Bizarre dismissal
— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) August 22, 2019
That looks like a freak dismissal... Marnus has missed it all... #Ashes #ENGvAUS
— ...Rachit (@rachit_g2) August 22, 2019
Labuschagne was excellent tbf, didnt look like getting out at all... bar the freak dismissal...
— Alex Harber (@alexharber) August 22, 2019
That was a comical dismissal for Labuschagne. He was batting really well. #Ashes
— David Williams (@davephwilliams1) August 22, 2019
Mad dismissal, another good innings from Labuschagne though #Ashes
— Rowena Haigh (@thetwoshortlegs) August 22, 2019
Australia had some luck early on but they've had some horrible luck since and then some.
Khawaja, Wade, Cummins and Labuschagne with some bizarre dismissal's that on any other day would not have fallen.— Tom O'Neil (@thomasjameoneil) August 22, 2019
Still laughing at the Stokes ball that got Labuschagne out LBW earlier, must be the worst ball he's ever got a wicket with.
— Matt Beat (@bigmatt1970) August 22, 2019
Warner heaps praise on Labuschagne
Warner, who scored 61, was the only other batsmen to make a decent score, and the veteran opener believes Labuschagne showed he's got the game to succeed at Test level.
"He's just taken the bull by its horns," Warner said.
"He's got that opportunity and he's working his backside off to reinstate himself into the Test arena and he is doing himself every favour by hanging in and batting the way he is.
"It obviously it wasn't ideal that Steve couldn't play but he got another opportunity to come out and play.
"He's a fantastic player and he has got a lot to offer and we have seen it first hand there."
Labuschagne has scored over 1000 runs for Glamorgan in the English County Championship this season and produced an innings that stoked up memories of former Test middle order stalwart Michael Hussey against some hostile bowling.
with AAP