Marnus Labuschagne explains why he fell asleep during World Test Championship final

Marnus Labuschagne has explained that he was simply resting his eyes when he was abruptly called upon at the Oval on Friday. 

David Warner‘s early dismissal in the second innings of Australia‘s World Test Championship final against India forced the No 3 to wake from his slumber, with cameras catching the moment Labuschagne realised he needed to pad up. 

It caused a viral moment online with fans finding the incident hilarious, but Labuschagne insists he was ‘just resting my eyes’ as he prepared himself for his innings. 

‘I was just resting my eyes between balls and just relaxing,’ he told SEN Cricket.

‘I was trying to calm my nerves a little bit, you can’t watch the game all the time, I got up there and was awake pretty soon.’

He survived until the close of play but was swiftly dismissed on Saturday morning, losing his wicket for 34 runs. Having made just 26 in his first knock, it is not the preparation he would have hoped for heading into the Ashes.  

Australia bowled India out for 296 on Day 3 of the showpiece Test, and held a strong lead of 173 as Warner and Usman Khawaja made their way to the crease in London.

However, veteran opener Warner did not stick around for too long, feathering a Mohammed Siraj delivery through to the keeper, making just one run.

More to follow. 

Marnus Labuschagne was caught napping during Australia’s second innings

But David Warner’s dismissal meant he had to wake up early to get to the crease

Labuschagne will hope to improve on the lowly 26 runs he scored in his first innings