Stunning Marnus Labuschagne moment sets social media alight

Pat Cummins knew he was taking a huge risk as he backed a call from Australia’s “boy who cried wolf” at the World Cup.

Death, taxes and Marnus Labuschagne getting a cricket review wrong.

Those could have been three certainties in life before the enthusiastic Labuschagne finally flipped the script overnight and set social media alight.

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With England 1-19 and trying to recover from the loss of Jonny Bairstow first ball in reply to Australia’s 286 all out, danger man Joe Root wafted at a wide Mitchell Starc delivery.

There was no real reaction, apart from a loud appeal from that man Labuschagne, who raced in from cover to implore skipper Pat Cummons to use his final review.

For those that aren’t aware, Labuschagne appealing has become something of a running joke, with his childlike love of the game often clouding his judgement across a series of misplaced appeals in all forms of the game.

Marnus Labuschagne’s initial reaction and (inset) Snicko proves him correct. Photos: Fox Cricket

He was described as Australia’s “boy who cried wolf” by one media outlet.

So there was enormous scepticism all round when Labuschagne stated: “That was a huge noise, I don’t know what you guys saw but that was good. Massive noise. I heard a massive noise boys.”

To his credit, with about one second left on the DRS clock, Cummins decided to take the risk and sent it upstairs.

Marnus didn’t exactly reek of confidence when he sheepishly added: “Boys, I really hope I’m right here.”

But on this occasion, heaven help us, he actually was as that faint, squiggly line appeared on Snicko to show Root had indeed nicked that Starc delivery.

Cue the fallout on social media.

The Aussie reaction to Labuschagne actually getting a review right … oh and Joe Root being out. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP)

“Marnus got a review right. I don’t know what to believe any more,” wrote Andrew Donnison on X.

“Marnus. I’ll never say a bad word about your appealing again!” wrote journalist Lachlan McKirdy.

Cricket writer Dan Liebke was even talking to himself when he followed “Don’t listen to Marnus’s lies” with “Heh. The Marnus who cried ‘I swear I heard a massive nick’”.

“You know it’s going bad for England when Marnus gets a review right,” added Michael Randall.

Another journalist, Steve Smith, earns our plaudits for weaving a Simpsons reference on the Harlem Globetrotters into his disbelieving tweet about Labuschagne getting an appeal correct.

“Marnus got one right. We’d reached Krusty betting on the Generals stage. He was due!”

The result officially ended England’s World Cup defence and leaves them stuck at the bottom of the 10-team table with just one victory.

Sad sight as Joe Root makes the long walk back to the pavilion. Bless. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

It comes after Root made a number of curious comments in the lead-up to this match, including these now infamous mutterings.

“I look at this (England) team and it’s more than capable of achieving way more than it has done throughout this tournament,” Root said.

“The quality of players we have, we should be sat right at the top of this (table). We all know that and we’re all very frustrated that isn’t the case.

“This group of players have three opportunities to play at the level we expect of ourselves: I fully believe we are more than capable of doing that on Saturday.

“Man for man, I’d have this team every day over the Australians.

“We might not have played as well as we can do, but we know when we play our best stuff, the best teams struggle to compete with us.”

Ngl I thought Marnus was carrying on like a pork chop there but he was right? I’ll go eat my hat. #ENGvAUS

— Fiona Has Wings (@imperatorelan) November 4, 2023

I have to apologise to Marnus.. he hears all sorts of things.. but this time he was right! Bye bye Root!! #ICCMensCricketWorldCup2023

— Luke (@lukeofpreston) November 4, 2023

Joe Root caught with an absolute nothing shot. Fair play to Marnus for absolutely driving that review... only one who was convinced. This isn't going well

— Jack Mendel ✍️ (@Mendelpol) November 4, 2023

As we now know, they failed miserably at that first opportunity and the remaining two opportunities - against the Dutch and Pakistan - are moot.

“England out of the World Cup 2023, ineligible for the Champions Trophy 2025,” wrote @Bheaze6425 on X.

“But at least Joe Root thinks they’re morally superior.”

And this from a page called Crystal Ball 100.

“Despite England being a “man for man” better side than Australia (per Joe Root), they once again failed to score more runs than their opponent (meaning they lost).”

We’ll give the last, stinging words here to ESPNcricinfo’s UK editor Andrew Miller, who had no doubt what this innings and result should mean for Root.

“Australia’s apparently middling target of 287 was never realistically challenged - especially after another abject powerplay in which Joe Root, one of England’s indisputable greats across formats, produced an innings of such awfulness it truly deserves to be his last in coloured clothing.”