‘Worst appeal in history’: Aussie humiliated, sledged by teammates

An Aussie star has angered his own teammates with an embarrassing act that left cricket commentators staggered.

Marnus Labuschagne, it’s time to go back to fielding on the boundary.

The Aussie batter was left a laughing stock when his antics left even his own teammates frustrated during the rollercoaster fifth day of the Boxing Day Test on Monday.

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Marnus was bringing plenty of energy in the first session of play as Australia hunted early wickets at the MCG with India attempting a record fourth innings run chase of 340 — something never done at the MCG.

Labuschagne on several occasions jumped up wildly from his position in the slips cordon while appealing for wickets that were nowhere near the mark.

You can see the embarrassing appeals in the video player above.

Marnus Labuschagne has had a shocker. Photo: Fox Sports

You could drive a car between that. Photo: Fox Cricket.

Labuschagne had cricket legends scoffing on live TV as replays showed two separate appeals for caught-behind where the ball had sailed miles away from the edge of the bat.

The first came in the third over of play where Mitchell Starc was bowling to Yashasvi Jaiswal and his outswinger sailed through to Alex Carey more than 10cm away from the outside of Jaiswal’s blade.

Labuschagne’s desperate appeals appeared to be based off noises he could hear — but none of his teammates wanted anything to do with it.

It happened again a few overs later when Starc ripped it past Rohit Sharma with the Indian captain again nowhere near getting bat on ball.

The TV replays were an indictment on Labuschagne’s review acumen.

Thankfully for the Aussies, Labuschagne’s appeals were quickly dismissed by his own teammates.

Former Aussie coach Darren Lehmann was laughing when watching on inside the ABC commentary box.

“Marnus, stay at third slip,” Lehmann said.

“Don’t speak. Don’t appeal.”

The South Australian great went on to say: “That is the worst appeal in the history of the sport.”

Mitch Starc told Marnus the cold hard truth. Photo: Fox Cricket.

The Fox Cricket commentary team were flabbergasted.

“He’s missed it by a mile. If it had gone upstairs it would have been the worst review in the history of the game,” Mark Howard said.

Former England Test captain Michael Vaughan said: “He needs his ears tested. He’s missed it by half a yard.

“If Marnus was the captain, Australia would have lost both reviews in six overs.”

Starc was sick of Marnus’ antics and was visibly frustrated in waving his teammate’s appeal away.

Marnus Labuschagne is getting his review credentials revoked. Photo by William WEST / AFP.

The Aussie spearhead turned his back on Labuschagne when the batsman was mid-appeal. The fast bowler then turned back and gestured to show the ball had missed the bat by about a foot.

It had plenty of fans laughing on social media.

Cricket statistician Ric Finlay wrote on X: “Marnus is a DRS-destroyer. Should field permanently at deep square-leg.”

Other cricket fans posted: “Honestly, Marnus’ appealing is ridiculous.”

Another wrote: “Marnus is convinced. Not in the same postcode.”

Thankfully for Labuschagne, his theatrics were quickly overshadowed when Pat Cummins went bang, bang with two quick wickets.

India was right back in the contest though with the scores at 3/86 after 40 overs.

Starc also claimed the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli on the stroke of the lunch break.

Originally published as ‘Worst appeal in history’: Aussie humiliated, sledged by teammates