Cometh the moment, cometh the Marn.
Another classic catch from Marnus Labuschagne helped steady Australia in a time of need on Day 5 in Adelaide, with the veteran following up his brilliant take from Saturday with one rated as even better.
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England had just nudged the required target below 100, with three wickets in hand, and were making the home nation nervous, when Mitchell Starc drew the edge of Will Jacks’ bat.
The ball went flying toward Alex Carey’s gloves as he dove to his right, and appeared to have it covered, but Labuschagne came in from the opposite direction.
He thrust out his left hand and the ball stuck, ending a pesky 52-run partnership and causing plenty of sighs of relief around the country.
“That’s better than the first one,” Seven analyst Ricky Ponting said, comparing Labuschagne’s two brilliant takes in England’s second innings.
Marnus Labuschagne celebrates with Pat Cummins. Credit: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
“This is an absolute screamer… it’s going so quickly. It’s flying.
“What a catch, and off he goes. He can’t believe it himself.”
Starc made a second strike moments later to remove Jofra Archer, and set up an Australian series win that the left-armer will likely be Player of the Series in when the final two Tests are completed.
It was soon sealed by a Scott Boland dismissal of Josh Tongue – with Labuschagne fittingly snaring the winning catch – to spark scenes of celebration in Adelaide.
