Watch: Marnus Labuschagne woken up by dismissal that brought him to crease

Australian No 3 Marnus Labuschagne had to be woken up by the crowd before coming out to bat in Australia’s second innings in the World Test Championship final.

Labuschagne, who is ranked the No 1 Test batsman in the world, appeared to be asleep while wearing his pads. But, in the third over of Australia’s innings, he was woken up by the crowd celebrating David Warner’s dismissal, caught behind off Mohammed Siraj for one.

After bowling India out for 296, Australia secured a 173-run first innings lead at the Oval. Their response did not get off to a good start, however.

Warner’s dismissal to Siraj continued his poor record in England. In 14 Tests in England, Warner averages just 25.74. He had a particularly poor 2019 Ashes series, when he averaged a meagre 9.50 and was dismissed seven times by Stuart Broad, who enjoyed great success bowling around the wicket to Warner.

Earlier on day three, India reached 296, with recalled batsman Ajinkya Rahane hitting 89. Pat Cummins, Australia’s skipper, dismissed Shardul Thakur, who hit 51, with a no-ball — his second wicket with a no-ball in India’s innings, after having Rahane out lbw for 17 the day before until the decision was overturned.

Despite India’s seventh wicket stand of 109, Australia are still in a dominant position in the second World Test Championship final. New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship final, defeating India in 2021.

Labuschagne, who has represented Glamorgan in county cricket since 2019, is playing in his 38th Test match and will be a key player for Australia when the Ashes begins next week. He has made 10 centuries and 15 half-centuries in his Test career to date.

During the 2019 Ashes, Labuschagne replaced Steve Smith as a concussion substitute in the Lord’s Test match. He went on to enjoy a superb series, scoring four half-centuries and averaging 50.42, and is now established as one of the world’s best.

After Labuschagne was caught napping, he pulled down his whites to check himself over, uncovering his pants which commemorated Australia’s 4-0 win in 2021-22, the last time the Ashes were contested.

Just visible above his thigh pad, is the 4-0 scoreline and to the right is David Warner with his medal and below is Usman Khawaja.