WTC 2023 Final: Marnus Labuschagne spotted sleeping in dressing-room, forced to walk out to bat minutes later

The World Test Championship final 2023 is moving ahead at a rapid pace as India got all out for 296 in the first innings on Day 3. Australia took a massive lead of 173 runs in the first innings as they came out to start their second innings during the second session. However, amid the action that was taking place on the pitch, Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne was caught peacefully sleeping in the dressing room having padded up.

Much to his dismay, his peaceful sleep didn’t last for long as opener David Warner was dismissed just in the fourth over of the innings. The southpaw edged Mohammed Siraj straight to wicketkeeper KS Bharat to give India their first success. As a result, Labuschagne was awakened by the crowd’s noise and quickly walked out to bat at No. 3.

Watch the video here:

Coming back to the action on Day 3, India resumed their innings on 151/5 with Ajinkya Rahane and KS Bharat at the crease. Australia got early success as Scott Boland breached through the defence of KS Bharat and destroyed his stumps on just the second ball of the day.

Following his dismissal, Shardul Thakur walked to the crease and got two lives early on getting dropped by Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green. The all-rounder further survived two close lbw shouts where he got first saved by umpire’s call first, and later due to a no-ball.

Shardul Thakur scored third consecutive fifty at The Oval

Thakur made full use of his reprieves and got involved in a massive 109-run stand for the seventh wicket with Ajinkya Rahane (89). Courtesy of their partnership, India scored 108 runs in the first session of the day to keep the hopes of their fans alive. However, the joy didn’t last long with Australia bundling them out in the second session for 296. 

Thakur completed his third consecutive fifty at the Oval as he scored 51 (109). Notably, the all-rounder became the second batter to register three consecutive fifty-plus scores at the venue after the legendary Don Bradman.