Marnus Labuschagne has once again caught the attention of cricket fans with an unusual field placement during Queensland's opening match of the Sheffield Shield.
The Australian batter, known for his quirky on-field antics, took an unexpected turn in captaincy by placing a fielder directly behind the bowler’s arm.
This odd move left both fans and commentators puzzled and sparked debate in the cricket community about whether it was within the spirit of the game.
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What happened during the Sheffield Shield match?
During the match, Labuschagne brought himself into the bowling attack when Queensland needed a breakthrough. Western Australia had recovered to 207-4 after Queensland’s early breakthroughs.
Labuschagne, though known more for his batting, bowled a few tight overs but didn’t take a wicket. What caught everyone's attention, however, was when he physically moved one of his fielders, Tom Straker, directly behind the stumps at the non-striker’s end, standing right behind the bowler's arm.
'I don't think I've ever seen that!'
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 9, 2024
Marnus Labuschagne as #SheffieldShield captain is an experience 😂
Watch his full (and very entertaining) three-over spell from day one at the WACA: https://t.co/5oPc5eu6Jn pic.twitter.com/OCE2vNcxKR
Fans question Marnus Labuschagne's field placement
This unusual field placement caused a stir among cricket fans and commentators alike. Some wondered if this tactic was even allowed, while others appreciated the creativity.
The field placement brought comparisons to a 2014 incident when former Australian captain Michael Clarke placed Mitchell Johnson behind the bowler in a similar tactic. Clarke’s field placement was heavily criticized, and many, including former captain Allan Border, felt it went against the spirit of the game.
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Is such a field placement legal within the Cricket rules?
Though placing a fielder behind the bowler’s arm is not illegal, it is generally frowned upon in professional cricket. Many feel that it disrupts the game and gives an unfair advantage to the bowling team.
Labuschagne’s decision, much like Clarke’s, has sparked discussions about the ethics and fairness of such fielding placements.
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