In the recent Sheffield Shield season opener for Queensland, Labuschagne raised eyebrows once again with a peculiar bowling spell and an unusual fielding strategy. As Queensland struggled to find a breakthrough against Western Australia, Labuschagne brought himself into the attack and, in his typically unpredictable fashion, devised a strategy that had fans, commentators, and cricket experts debating its legality and sportsmanship.
Labuschagne’s bowling spell
In Queensland’s Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia, the Bulls initially had the upper hand. After a strong bowling display from Michael Neser, Western Australia was reeling at 3-18. Labuschagne bowled just three overs, conceding only two runs, it wasn’t his bowling figures that became the talk of the match. Instead, it was his peculiar fielding tactic that left everyone in disbelief. However, as the innings progressed, the visitors recovered, and the Queensland bowlers found themselves in need of a spark to break through a stubborn middle order.
While Labuschagne’s bowling was tight, it was an unexpected moment in the field that truly stole the show. In a move rarely seen on a cricket field, Labuschagne physically repositioned young fast bowler Tom Straker by grabbing him by the pants and pulling him directly behind the stumps at the non-striker’s end. The commentary team was baffled, with one commentator exclaiming, “He’s almost standing next to him!”
Labuschagne’s unorthodox approach didn’t go unnoticed by the opposing team or the match officials, but despite the confusion, there was no immediate call to stop the play.
'I don't think I've ever seen that!'
Marnus Labuschagne as #SheffieldShield captain is an experience 😂
Watch his full (and very entertaining) three-over spell from day one at the WACA: https://t.co/5oPc5eu6Jn pic.twitter.com/OCE2vNcxKR
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 9, 2024
Is this tactic legal?
One of the primary concerns raised by fans and commentators alike was whether Labuschagne’s positioning of Straker was within the rules of the game. The placement of fielders directly behind the bowler’s arm is highly unusual, but technically, it’s not illegal under the laws of cricket. Fielding restrictions in Test and First-Class cricket primarily focus on the number of players allowed behind square on the leg side or in close proximity to the batsman, but positioning directly behind the bowler is within the rules as long as it doesn’t distract the batter.
A brain fade 🤣🤣
— coach lucas (jobless) (@lucasr15sky) October 9, 2024
Done in IPL to Pollard and worked a charm. Anything to disrupt the momentum and concentration of a set bat is worth a try
— James (@james1777777777) October 9, 2024
Comparisons to Michael Clarke’s fielding experiment in 2014
Labuschagne’s unconventional field placement drew comparisons to a similar tactic employed by former Australian captain Michael Clarke in 2014. During a Test match against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, Clarke used a radical semi-circle field formation, positioning seven fielders in close proximity to the batsman in a desperate attempt to break a partnership.
Clarke’s decision to station Mitchell Johnson directly behind Peter Siddle’s bowling arm was met with widespread criticism, with former Australian skipper Allan Border being particularly vocal about its unsportsmanlike nature. “Where he (Johnson) is there, I don’t think it’s in the spirit of the game,” Border remarked at the time, echoing the sentiments now surrounding Labuschagne’s similar move.
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