Australia has made dramatic changes to their Test team for the forthcoming West Indies series, with two of their most seasoned batters missing the first match. Veteran Steve Smith has been sidelined for the opening Test with a finger injury, while Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped following a string of underwhelming performances. These changes come as Australia starts a new cycle of the World Test Championship and sets its sights on reshaping the central group of players.

With Smith out, wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has been brought in to replace him. Inglis, who made an impression with a century on his Test debut in Sri Lanka, will look to cement his place. In the meantime, the exclusion of Labuschagne follows a period of persistent decline in form, topped by poor performances in the World Test Championship Final. Rising star Sam Konstas, aged only 19, has been chosen as his replacement. Konstas only made headlines recently with a blistering 60 against India, admired for his attacking strokeplay and maturity.

Chief selector George Bailey clarified that the door remains open for Labuschagne, stating, “Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team … we will continue working with him.” He also mentioned that Smith’s finger injury will be reassessed before the second Test in Grenada. The first Test is set to begin on June 25 in Barbados, followed by matches in Grenada and Trinidad.

Australia’s new Test phase begins in the Caribbean

With several experienced players sidelined, this series offers a fresh start for Australia as they transition towards a younger core. The addition of Konstas and Inglis is a move toward recognizing domestic form and looking toward challenges ahead, including the upcoming Ashes.

See Also: Sachin Tendulkar predicts India will win ENG vs IND Test series 3-1

This reshuffled squad brings both uncertainty and potential. Fans will certainly miss the services of stalwarts such as Smith and Labuschagne, but the West Indies tour is an opportunity for the next generation of players to come forward and leave their mark in the longest version of the game.

Australia’s batting unit is set for a shake-up following their defeat to South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s, with Marnus Labuschagne’s place under serious threat and Usman Khawaja likely to retain his spot heading into the Ashes later this year.

Head coach Andrew McDonald and the selectors are expected to decide within the next 48 hours whether reinforcements are needed for the upcoming three-Test series in the West Indies. A major talking point is the possible return of 19-year-old Sam Konstas at the top of the order, with Labuschagne’s underwhelming form adding weight to the call for change.

Labuschagne, who was elevated to open for the first time in his Test career at Lord’s, managed only 17 and 22 in the two innings, capping off a disappointing WTC cycle in which he averaged just 27.82. The move was made to accommodate Cameron Green at No. 3, but with Steven Smith nursing a finger injury, Labuschagne may still retain his place, though even that seems far from guaranteed.

"He's missed out on big scores," McDonald said after the final. “We’re confident he can return to his best, and that’s why we keep picking him. But at what point do we stop picking him?” Despite the underwhelming returns, McDonald stressed that Labuschagne remains a key part of Australia's long-term plans. "Anyone who averages 45 or 46 in Test cricket at that age is important. He’s had a positive week in terms of preparation, no harder worker than Marnus, but now it’s really just about the returns."

ALSO SEE: ENG vs IND: Robin Uthappa shares his predicted playing XI ahead of series

Selectors Show Faith in Khawaja, but Labuschagne’s Test Future Hangs in the Balance Ahead of West Indies Tour

In contrast, Khawaja, despite falling cheaply twice to Kagiso Rabada at Lord’s, has earned the selectors’ backing. The veteran opener, who scored a career-best 232 against Sri Lanka just three Tests ago, appears to have the kind of stability and experience the team values, even amid questions around his effectiveness against pace.

“He’s on contract, he’s an important player,” McDonald reiterated. “We like to look at our players at their best… I don’t see an end date for him. He’s still moving well, still training hard, and has runs left in him.” Khawaja is expected to get the same long rope David Warner received during the twilight of his Test career.

Meanwhile, the squad could also see some reshuffling depending on conditions in the Caribbean. Josh Inglis, who scored a hundred on debut, could be considered in spin-friendly situations, while Travis Head may again be viewed as a potential opener on slower surfaces. However, McDonald was quick to emphasise that Australia would look to strike a balance between future planning for the Ashes and adapting to local conditions in the West Indies.

“We haven’t played a Test there since 2015,” he said. “So there’s a little bit of the unknown. But we feel we’ve got a squad that can cover all bases.” Despite the batting concerns, McDonald made it clear that Australia’s shortcomings at Lord’s were not restricted to the top order. “We lost 5 for 20 in the first innings and 7 wickets for not many in the second. That’s 12 wickets for not much. We’re better than that.”

As Australia prepares to begin a new WTC cycle in the Caribbean, all eyes will be on how the selectors respond to the latest setback and whether this marks the beginning of a transitional phase in the batting order.

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma was mobilizing well against Australia until Marnus Labuschagne pulled out a blinder at the cover region. Bamuva connected with the ball in the middle of his bat; the connection was on point, and the ball was about to go through the cover, but there was Marnus, always an electrifying presence on the field, doing an unthinkable job on a Pat Cummins over.

He threw his body at the right side and grabbed the ball low before a blink of an eye. Temba Bavuma departed after scoring 36 off 84 balls. The right-handed batter took an attacking approach against the fiery Australian bowling combination from the beginning of Day 2, and he succeeded in his plan for a while.

On Day 1, when the defending champion side picked up 4 wickets before the stumps, Bavuma was all about defense. On Day 2, a completely different approach from him: counterattack to oppose an attack. The SA leader hit 4 glorious fours and one maximum during his 84-ball stint. 

Read More: Babar Azam set for BBL return? Sydney Sixers' big move sparks buzz!

Josh Hazlewood also troubled Temba Bavuma 

Before that stunning catch, Bamuva narrowly escaped an LBW just because of the Decision Review System. Bavuma, then on 17, and South Africa, on 66 for the loss of 4 wickets, signaled for a decision review. After recapping the incident on screen with the help of high-tech technologies, the third umpire reversed the decision and decided to announce "not out" to the Protean skipper, and thus how Temba Bavuma has survived. Apart from the DRS moment, Bavuma's innings was a display of the class he possessed. He played some pure cricketing shots on the lush grass field of the Lord's, which were pure joy to watch. 

Before the launch, South Africa lost 5 wickets for 121. David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne were on the crease with 39 and 11 runs, respectively. 

Watch the stunning catch here

 

 

 

 

 

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Expectations are high around Marnus Labuschagne, as Cricket Australia has shown full faith in him for the World Test Championship Final (WTC Final) against South Africa at Lord's over Sam Konstas. Two batters were in the race for an opening spot to pair up with Usman Khawaja.

Before the all-important Test match, Marnus Labuschagne won the hearts of his fans outside the stadium. The heartfelt moment was captured in the lens and shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) from the official Instagram account. Marnus Labuschagne is the central character in the video, with AB de Villiers featured as a father of two kids.

The former South African cricketer was waiting outside the stadium with his kids for the Australian star cricketer Marnus Labuschagne. The SA cricket legend's children are fans of the Aussie batter. So, they shouted 'Marnus' to grab his autograph on the jersey.

Read More: WATCH: Indian team shares light moments during catching practice ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

"I was there not a long ago"

Villiers was standing just behind his boys patiently, just like any father. After the autograph, Labuschagne and Villiers had a handshake and exchange of warm gestures. 

Later, the former South African cricketer said, "I've got my two boys here, and we saw Marnus Labuschagne earlier, and he straightaway came to us and started signing the boys' shirts. I was just standing there, sort of from an outsider's point of view, really appreciating that little moment, you know, because I was there not long ago. And now to see as a father what it means for the kids to get their shirts autographed. I mean, really, really special moment."

Watch the heart touching moment here

 

 

 

 

 

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The 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final is upon us as South Africa and Australia gear up to lock horns against one another at the iconic Lord’s, London, starting June 11, 2025. The Proteas, under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma, topped the charts with 69.44 percentage points while the defending champions gained 67.54 percentage points without even losing a series. 

The two-year cycle has seen a plethora of scintillating matches between numerous oppositions, with some of the arch-rival nations fueling the contests to a greater extent. It doesn’t happen without noticeable performances from the cricketers, who are the heart and soul of this entire game. There have been numerous batting performances that have often left the spectators in awe. Although it’s a tough job to filter out the best, we at Cricket Winner have analysed to the best of our ability and came up with the top five knocks in the WTC 2023-25 cycle.

Ollie Pope’s 196 vs India in Hyderabad

England’s tour to India in the early 2024 edition was worth the hype as the Men in Blue looked to face off against an England unit that changed the style of Test cricket. The focus was on Bazball’s domination in world cricket, with the Indian subcontinent being one of the dynasties left unconquered. Although the English revolution under the coach-captain duo of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes failed in one of their toughest challenges, Ollie Pope’s 196 in the first Test in Hyderabad gave the visitors an upper hand at the start of the five-match series.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, England's batting order felt the heat produced by Jasprit Bumrah and the spin triumvirate of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel, folding for 246 runs. In reply, India earned a 174-run lead on the back of eighties from Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Jadeja. Despite being on the back foot halfway through the innings, Ollie Pope showcased what he is capable of with the willow. 

Stepping foot in unfamiliar territory, the right-handed batter smashed 196 runs off 278 balls in the third innings of the match. To be able to battle the Indian spinners at their home is an uphill task. But Pope proved why he is rated so highly in England. All it took was a special smearing yorker from Bumrah to rattle his stumps, leaving four runs shy of a double century. Without an iota of doubt, this had to be Pope’s best innings away from home. His 196 led the foundation for a 28-run victory, albeit England failed to capitalise on the start, losing the series 4-1.

Also Read: 'If we win it...' - Former Proteas star reveal what Test championship glory would mean for South Africa

Marnus Labuschagne’s 111 vs England in Manchester

Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne didn’t quite have a great start to the year 2023. He was left out of Australia’s Cricket World Cup squad, only to return as a replacement to injured Ashton Agar and play a pivotal role in the final against India. Previously, he was also under the radar after a series of poor outings with the bat in the Ashes. 

For someone who followed Marnus’ career graph, he is known to silence the doubters with his performances whenever required. This is exactly what happened during the fourth Test of the Ashes at Old Trafford, Manchester.

After securing a fifty with Mitchell Marsh and propelling Australia to 317 in the first innings, Zak Crawley’s 189 and England’s middle-order prowess left the visitors trailing by 275 runs. This was when Labuschagne stood tall after the visitors lost the wickets of Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith, and Travis Head in quick time. On a start-stop fourth day due to incessant showers, Labuschagne’s grit was on full display. He was scratchy at the start but ensured to overcome adversity and stand tall with 111 runs off 173 balls with ten fours and a couple of sixes. Although the match ended in a draw, Labuschagne played one of his best knocks in an away Ashes under difficult conditions, rubbishing the critics.

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 161 vs Australia in Perth

India stepped onto the Australian shores on the back of a record whitewash at home by a New Zealand blended with youth and experience. With their World Test Championship chances jeopardised and captain Rohit Sharma absent due to paternal leave for the opening Test, they needed someone to stand up with the bat in Perth. Known for its pace and steep bounce, the venue is known to be one of the graveyards for the batters, who often test their skills and mental ability. 

Stepping foot for the first time as a capped cricketer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, bounced back in the second innings in his trademark style. Known for his hunger for runs, Jaiswal went on to notch up his maiden century down under, scoring 161 off 297 balls. He was well accompanied by KL Rahul’s 77 and Virat Kohli’s unbridled century, setting up India’s 295-run victory to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.

Harry Brook’s 171 in Christchurch

Arriving on the shores of New Zealand for a three-match Test series, England were oozing in confidence as BazBall yielded positive results across conditions. What looked like a tough test at the start turned out to be a cakewalk for the Three Lions as the Kiwis could only win the dead rubber. However, the convincing series triumph was set up by an extraordinary display of batting from Harry Brook.

Touted as the next big thing from English cricket, Brook arrived at the crease when the team was reeling at 45/3 in their first innings. Trailing by 303 runs, England incurred another setback when a well-set Ben Duckett departed for 46. Under gloomy conditions, strong breeze, and the ball laterally moving, Brook held his fort with grit. After a tough phase of play that saw him get two catching reprieves, Brook converted his steady fifty into a century, and went on to muster 171 runs off 197 balls. Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes’ fifties assisted his well-tailored knock that helped England reach 499 runs, setting up a comprehensive win by eight wickets. 

Before this, Brook was well-known for his heroics at home. But the New Zealand tour saw the first of the young bloke dominate a SINA (South Africa, India, New Zealand, and Australia as a whole) opposition.

KL Rahul’s 101 vs South Africa in Centurion

Not many cricketers get to create history by racking up a Boxing Day century. The day after Christmas is also renowned as the start of the Boxing Day Tests in Australia, South Africa, and a few other nations. It marks a special occasion where, back in old school cricket, rich guests used to offer gifts to the middle and lower-middle class. Although it has little to do with the Test cricket matches now, the tradition has often led to a jam-packed crowd and unreal anticipation for the game. This is when Rahul’s 101 under adverse conditions at Centurion came up for India in 2023.

Trying to make a mark in the first of the two-match Test series, India lost their top three early in the innings before Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s brief stay was put to rest by Kagiso Rabada. With India 121/6 in the second session, Rahul took his time to settle but didn’t hesitate to punish the looseners. Playing with the lower order, he quickly moved to fifty under overcast conditions. 

Donning his new role as a make-shift wicketkeeper and batting at No. 6, clarity was written across his face while playing the strokes against the viscous Proteas bowlers at their den. Following Shardul Thakur and Jasprit Bumrah’s departures, he forged a 47-run ninth-wicket partnership with Mohammed Siraj, where the latter contributed only five runs. Soon after, the Karnataka star switched gears and smoked a few boundaries to push the opposition on the back, and get to his second Test century at the venue. 

Although Nandre Burger knocked his stumps in the 68th over, Rahul’s 101 was a testament to the orthodox batting skills, grit, and game awareness that the red-ball format demands. Though India were doused by Dean Elgar’s batting brilliance in the match, Rahul’s 101 as the lone warrior of the team deserved applause from the cricket pundits and the fans.

Honourable mention: Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 114 vs Australia at the MCG in 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia after losing to India in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. While the team had a good tournament, unexpected news Steve Smith announced his retirement from ODI cricket.  

Smith is known for his success and best solid defense in Test cricket, but he has also been a key player in ODIs, scoring 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28 in 170 matches. He played an important role at the top of the order, keeping the innings steady in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.  

After Smith retired, Australia had to find someone to take his place. Replacing a three-time World Cup winner won’t be easy, and whoever takes responsibility in crucial times.

Three players who could take his role in the ODIs:

3. Matthew Short

Matthew Short could be the best option to replace Steve Smith in the ODI team. Though he has been opening the batting lately, he might also be considered for the number three spot and he is Capable to do things like Steve Smith. He has the skills and technique to play a similar role to Smith, he has a great chance for him to prove himself.  

Short has played 15 ODIs for Australia, scoring 280 runs, including two half-centuries one of them against England in the Champions Trophy. Besides his batting, he can also bowl handy off-spin, adding extra options in spin to the team.  

Short has already made a big impact with the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL. With his all-around abilities, he could be a strong choice to replace Steve Smith for the number three position in ODIs.

ALSO READ: "Gautam Gambhir Faces Criticism Over 'Hollow Victory' Jibe from South African Media"

2. Cooper Connolly

Cooper Connolly is a young talent and skilled player in Australian cricket. The 21-year-old all-rounder hasn’t had the best start to his international career yet, but he has done well in domestic Cricket and BBL. He’s a strong batter and can also bowl left-arm spin.  

Cooper Connolly has played only four ODIs so far, but his performances in first-class cricket and the Big Bash League have been impressive. He had a great BBL season with the Perth Scorchers, scoring 351 runs at an average of 50.14. With his skills and potential, he could be a good option for Australia to develop for Steve Smith’s role in the ODI team.

1. Marnus Labuschagne

Marnus Labuschagne has been a good player in the middle order, but with Steve Smith retiring, he could move up to take the number three spot and he has that Capability to play in NO.3. He has skills and he played so many Crucial games in tough times, not just in ODIs but also in Test cricket. Marnus Labuschagne is known for his stylish shots and ability to play long innings, making him a strong option to replace Smith.  

Labuschagne played 63 matches, scoring 1,869 runs at an average of 35.94, with two centuries and 12 half-centuries in ODIs. With his batting and leadership potential, he could also be a future captain for the Australian team.

Beau Webster Set to Step in for Mitchell Marsh in the 5th Test Against India

Starting January 3, 2025, the Sydney Cricket Ground is going to be extremely busy because Australia is getting ready to face off against India in the fifth and vitally key test. The team is bringing in a new man, Beau Webster, for his first test game ever, and he's taking over for Mitchell Marsh. This change is very big news.

Since Australia is ahead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series with a 2-1 lead, they're excited and ready to snatch their first series win in India in more than ten years.

“Beau’s story is a great one of resilience… I think he’ll have the backing of an entire state over the next five days”

Terrific to chat with some of those closest to Beau Webster ahead of his Test debut tomorrow.@TheMercurySport

STORY ➡️ https://t.co/l0QcRp9yPT pic.twitter.com/yflVqciAal

— Ryan Rosendale (@RosendaleRyan) January 2, 2025

Why Mitchell Marsh Is Out

The selectors saw that Mitchell Marsh wasn't doing too well in the series, only scoring 73 runs and not doing much with his bowling. They think this is a good opportunity for Beau Webster to step in and display his abilities at the international level.

Pat Cummins, our captain, said Mitch Marsh is still vitally important for the team, especially when we are discussing the short games but he also mentioned that adding Webster to the team will make things better. And he made sure everyone knew this is not farewell for Marsh in test cricket at all.

ALSO READ:Pat Cummins Reveals Australia’s Strategy to Tackle Jasprit Bumrah in Sydney Test

Spotlight on Beau Webster

Beau Jacob Webster has been making waves in domestic cricket, which earned him this debut. His versatility is a huge asset, as he bats right-handed and can bowl both off-spin and medium pace.

Domestic Career Highlights

Webster achieved it in the 2023-24 Sheffield Shield season, making him the second individual ever to hit more than 900 runs and take 30 wickets in just one season. Playing for Tasmania in the local games, he's also been doing really good for the Melbourne Stars in the Bash league.

First-Class Career Stats

Matches: 93

Runs Scored: 5,297

Batting Average: 37.83

Centuries/Half-Centuries: 12/24

Wickets Taken: 148

Bowling Average: 37.39

Best Bowling Figures: 6/100

Webster's all-around skills and impressive form make him a perfect fit for this high-pressure match against India.

Australia's Squad for the 5th Test

Most of the squad remains unchanged, with Webster being the only newcomer. The confirmed playing XI is:

Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

Despite the middle-order batting collapse, the hosts Australia are still in the controlling position at the end of the fourth day of the Melbourne Test. Now, a big challenge is waiting for the visitors India for the fifth day of the Test match.

Nitish Kumar Reddy was out for 114 runs after review drama

India started the fourth day at 358/9. The drama started very early in the morning when Aussie skipper Pat Cummins asked for a review despite the third umpire already checking and confirming not out on India’s last man Mohammed Siraj. Three balls later, Nitish Kumar Reddy lost his wicket after scoring 114 runs as India were all out for 369 runs.

Also Watch: Commentary box reaction after knowing "Nathan Lyon is a taklu"

Indian bowlers dominated the first half of the Australian second innings

Australia started their second innings of the Test match with a lead of 105 runs. Jasprit Bumrah bowled Sam Konstas for eight runs, while Mohammed Siraj was in a good rhythm and bowled the other opener Usman Khawaja for 21 runs, who was earlier dropped for one run by Yashasvi Jaiswal.

In the second session, India made a strong comeback in the game when the Australian middle-order batting was clueless. The hosts went down from 80/2 to 91/6, where Siraj took the wicket of Steven Smith (13), and Bumrah dismissed Travis Head (1), Mitchell Marsh (0), and Alex Carey (2).

Jaiswal's drops cost India

In the second session, Jaiswal dropped two more chances, which cost the visitors heavily. After failing to hold Marnus Labuschagne’s regulation catch at the gully, Jaiswal gave life to Aussie skipper Pat Cummins at the silly point in the final over of the session. 

Cummins and Lyon added crucial runs after Labuschagne’s 70 runs

In the last session, Labuschange was ultimately dismissed by Mohammed Siraj after scoring 70 runs. He had a crucial 57-run partnership with Cummins for the seventh wicket. 

Soon, Mitchell Starc (1) was run out brilliantly by the wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant with an incredible throw. Before Cummins was out for 41 runs, he had a 17-run partnership with Nathan Lyon for the ninth wicket.

Indian bowlers fought hard but failed to pick up the last wicket of the innings. In the final over of the day, it looked like Bumrah dismissed Nathan Lyon as KL Rahul managed to take a catch at the third slip, but a no-ball from the bowler ruled out that dismissal. 

Lyon and Scott Boland have already set a 55-run partnership for the unbroken last wicket. While Lyon scored 41 not out, Boland scored 10 not out. 

Australia ended the day with a score of 228/9, as the hosts already earned a handsome-looking lead of 333 runs. Jasprit Bumrah picked up four wickets (4/56), while Mohammed Siraj got three wickets (3/66) and Ravindra Jadeja claimed one wicket (1/33).

While the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is at its peak, visitors India had a great first session of the second day of the crucial Brisbane Test match. After Steven Smith-Marnus Labuschagne's partnership frustrated the Indian pacers, Mohammed Siraj’s bails swap trick quickly brought luck in the visitors’ favour. 

Jasprit Bumrah provided a strong start

India started the second day of the Brisbane Test strongly as the pacer Jasprit Bumrah dismissed both the Aussie openers cheaply. After Usman Khawaja was caught behind for 21 runs, new opener Nathan McSweeney once again couldn’t find his rhythm and was caught at the second slip after scoring only nine runs off 49 balls.

Although Australia lost both their openers in the first half an hour, experienced Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were controlling the Indian pacers. While the Indian pacers set the tough questions for the Aussie batters, the experienced duo was handling the situations despite some hard moments. 

Watch: Teammates set emotional farewell on Tim Southee's last Test

The bails swap drama between Mohammed Siraj and Marnus Labuschagne

It was the first ball of the 33rd over of the innings, when the Indian pacer Siraj had an lbw appeal against Steven Smith, but the umpire rejected that. While Smith and Labuschagne had a leg-bye run on that delivery, Labuschagne faced the next ball. It was a dot ball, and Siraj then walked towards the batter’s stump and switched the bails of the wicket. While one bail fell down, Labuschagne brought the bails to their original position.

THE BAILS EXCHANGE....!!!! 😄

- Siraj & Labuschagne changing the bails, A fun moment at Gabba.#INDvAUS #AUSvIND #Gabba pic.twitter.com/fg0MDqDXWb

— RAFI AN (@Rafi_anee) December 15, 2024

Once again the bails swap trick brought luck for the bowling team, as in the next over, Labuschagne was caught at the slip after Kohli completed his second catch of the day. Nitish Kumar Reddy got that crucial wicket as Australia scored 75/3. Labuschagne was out for 12 runs off 55 balls. At the lunch, the hosts scored 104/3 in 43 overs. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy gets Labuschagne followed by an aggressive celebration of Virat Kohli 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JPVBNwriPe

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 15, 2024

The pink-ball Test in Adelaide has kicked off in full swing and plenty of drama has unfolded on day one already. In a bizarre twist of events, Marnus Labuschagne decided to pull out at the last minute after being distracted by what's described as "beer snake".

See also: Watch: Pink-ball Test witnesses a rare floodlight blackout in Adelaide

Watch how the incident unfolded

• Man runs behind the sight screen with a beer snake
• Marnus pulls away while Siraj is running in
• Siraj is not happy

All happening at Adelaide Oval 🫣 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/gRburjYhHg

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 6, 2024

The incident came to light during the 25th over of the Australian innings in the final session on day one. Siraj was running in to bowl the fifth ball of the over. But that is when Marnus spotted a spectator holding on to a tower of multiple beer glasses stacked on each other. 

Funnily enough, the movement occurred in front of the sightscreen which immediately threw the 30-year-old off his normal stance position. Moments before Siraj could enter his delivery stride, Marnus pulled out causing the former to vent out his frustration. In response, he threw the ball towards Marnus but the ball missed him as well as the stumps by a considerable distance. 

The umpire rightfully intervened and signaled dead ball but by that time the two players had already exchanged a few words. The frustration from Siraj was justified. A bowler works tirelessly to run all the way through to the crease but all that energy evaporates in thin air when they are forced to halt just moments before delivering the ball.

The commentators on air also voiced their frustration on this incident and called out the security personnel for not adopting adequate preventive measures to let this happen.

Australia in total command on day one

Starc's career-best 6-48 skittled India for 180 despite late heroics from Nitish Reddy who scored a blazing 42 (54). In response, Australia navigated a difficult passage of play under lights with the help of McSweeney and Labuschagne who finished unbeaten on 38 & 20 respectively to raise Australia's first innings score to healthy 86-1 at the close of play on day one.