• By Namrata Vijay
  • Wed, 09 Oct 2024 11:55 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Sheffield Shield: Australia's star batter Marnus Labuschagne was at his absolute best as he led the team from the front in the tournament opener of Sheffield Shield, one of Australia's best red-ball domestic tournaments. Labuschagne himself began bowling for Queensland in the clash against Western Australia and was seen entertaining both the crowds and the umpire.

Marnus won the toss and chose to bowl first and the decision worked in their favour as Michael Nesser rattled Western Australia's batting lineup. He dismissed batters like Cameron Bancroft (0), Jayden Goodwin (0), and Mitchell Marsh (13) and then Mitchell Swepson ended the 59-run partnership for the fourth wicket by getting Hilton Cartwright out for 38 runs.

But, skipper Sam Whiteman and Josh Inglis helped Western Australia bounce back. They went all-guns-blazing against Queensland's bowlers by building a stable partnership of 203 runs. To break this partnership, Marnus Labuschagne began bowling himself.

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During the 66th over on the first day, Labuschagne bowled his second over and asked one of his teammates to stand exactly behind the umpire and thus set up a different field. It wasn't a mid-off or a mid-on position. This left the on-field umpire stunned after he saw a fielder standing right behind him. Labuschangne then made some changes and asked the fielder to stand on the left side of the umpire.

Inglis, who had scored a gritty knock of 83 runs, wasn't affected much by Labuschagne's on-field tactics. He tried to deceive the batter by bowling a bouncer but Inglis was fully aware and tried to defend the flying ball.

Watch the video here:

Marnus Labuschagne bowled entertaining three overs and is often known for his weird on-field tactics. He bent his back and bowled a couple of bouncers to end the partnership. He bowled three overs, of which two were maidens.

Matt Renshaw finally ended this partnership during the 80th over as Inglis was dismissed after scoring 122 runs. Nesser then got Sam Whiteman out after scoring 102 runs.

Labuschagne again bowled on the second day of the Sheffield Shield clash, where Cooper Conolly and Cameron Gannon scored half-centuries each and helped the team post a target of 400 runs. Labuschagne dismissed Gannon and ended the 121-run partnership for the eighth wicket.