The third day of the World Test Championship final (WTC) 2023 proved to be a rollercoaster ride with several exciting moments at the Oval. One of the highlights was the impressive partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur, who fought back with the bat for India. On the other hand, Australia’s top-order struggled under the relentless bowling attack from the Indian team.
However, amidst the intense action, one incident stood out and became a major talking point of the day. Star batting all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne was caught taking a nap when Australia came out to bat in the second innings. The cameras captured the moment before and after David Warner’s dismissal, drawing attention to Labuschagne’s unusual behavior.
After Warner was dismissed for just one run, it was Labuschagne’s turn to take the crease. However, he was rudely awoken right after Warner’s departure. Labuschagne later clarified the situation, stating that he was merely resting his eyes and trying to relax.
“I was just resting my eyes between balls and just relaxing. I was trying to calm my nerves a little bit. You can’t watch the game all the time. I got up there and was awake pretty soon. I didn’t have too many rests there when Siraj banged that first one in,” Labuschagne explained in an interview with SEN Cricket.
The incident added an amusing twist to the intense cricketing battle, highlighting the challenges and pressures faced by players in high-stakes matches like the WTC final. Despite the brief moment of rest, Labuschagne quickly regained his focus and continued to contribute to Australia’s innings.
The day also witnessed India’s bowling dominance, as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Warner early, setting the tone for a strong performance. With the match delicately poised, fans eagerly await the next day’s play to see how the teams further battle it out for the coveted WTC title.