‘Get Out of My Space’: Mohammed Siraj-Marnus Labuschagne’s Australian Bail Change Drama

One of the highlights of the second day of the third Test between India and Australia was the ‘bail change’ moment between Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj and Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne. In an act of superstition, Siraj walked towards Labuschagne’s stumps and changed the position of the bails. As Siraj turned back, Labuschagne himself returned the bails to their original position. It didn’t work out for him as he was dismissed moments later off the bowling of Nitish Reddy. Legendary Australian batsman Matthew Hayden criticized Labuschagne for allowing himself to be distracted.

Labuschagne fell for just 12 runs off 55 balls, soon after the bail-changing incident. A thick edge saw him caught by Virat Kohli.

“He saw 55 deliveries and had no lead. Even that little exchange, if it was me at the crease and a bowler does that. I don’t care. I don’t even look at the bowler. I “I don’t recognize what he’s doing at all. He’s way out of my space. In fact, I probably would have told him to get out of my space before I even got to the bails,” Hayden said on Star Sports. end of the day. The game for 2.

Labuschagne’s dismissal left Australia at 75/3 in difficult conditions, but it was arguably a blessing in disguise. He was replaced at the crease by Travis Head, whose counter-attacking innings put Australia in a dominant position at the end of the second day.

Head put together a 241-run partnership with Steve Smith and scored another ton against India. Head has now scored over 1,200 runs in international cricket against India since 2023.

It was Head’s second consecutive century against India, having also played a brilliant 140 in Adelaide.

Steve Smith also found his form, scoring a resilient century, before Jasprit Bumrah completed a five-wicket haul with the second new ball.