Australia have taken the driver seat in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide against India. Day 2 of the pink-ball contest witnessed Aussie batsman Marnus Labuschagne imitate his teammate Steve Smith while leaving a ball to the wicket-keeper.
India failed to put up a partnership on day 2 starting at 233 for six with Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha in the middle. After Pat Cummins forced an error off the third ball of the day, Saha was India’s only hope and he got out the first ball chasing a wide seed from Mitchell Starc. The rest was a mere formality as the visitors were bundled out for 244.
Sitting on top, Australian openers – Matthew Wade and Joe Burns frustrated the Indian bowlers, who were also short of their target. They failed to make the batters play as the host easily got away with the new ball. Wade was looking to free his arms right before Jasprit Bumrah caught him plumb in front of the wicket. They went for the review which showed three reds to confirm the umpire’s decision.
Marnus Labuschagne imitates Steve Smith
The departure of Wade saw Marnus Labuschagne walk out in the middle at No.3. He has been one of the most consistent batters in red-ball cricket in the last one year. Ever since he walked out as the concussion substitute of Steve Smith during the Ashes, there was no stopping him. He has belted bowlers and finished 2019 as one of the highest run-scorers in 2019.
Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne was seen imitating his teammate Steve Smith in the first delivery of his innings from Jasprit Bumrah. He left the ball in a weird fashion more like Smith and made an exaggerated noise of his mouth. It extracted a laugh out of the opposition also as Bumrah was seen laughing as he was walking back to his run-up.
Also Read: Watch – Mitchell Starc Uproots Prithvi Shaw’s Stumps To Put Australia On Top
Watch the video here:
Marnus Labuschagne’s first delivery of the 2020/21 home summer…#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/oQSACzTedf
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) December 18, 2020
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Meanwhile, India bounced back soon after removing another opener Joe Burns to have Australia at 29 for two. The visitors will look to take a couple of wickets in quick succession with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in the crease and make a return to the Test match.
