Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne cops dissent charge over grade cricket blow-up

A recent grade cricket blow-up highlights that temperament is something Marnus Labuschagne must work on if he’s to become the long-term captain many believe he could be, writes BEN HORNE.

Batting star Marnus Labuschagne faces an anxious wait to see whether a disciplinary breach in Brisbane grade cricket could result in a chastening suspension.

Labuschagne has been charged with level 2 dissent against an umpire and is likely to face a tribunal this week before flying out to the UK to join the Australian camp ahead of the upcoming ODI series against England.

The conduct commissioner does not have the power to suspend Labuschagne for an international match, meaning he will be free to face England, but he faces a domestic suspension or alternatively a suspended sentence or reprimand.

Labuschagne is in hot water after being cited for excessively remonstrating with an umpire in a white line fever moment as captain of his Brisbane club, Redlands.

Marnus Labuschagne discusses the controversial call with the umpire.

The match involving multiple Queensland stars including Usman Khawaja, Max Bryant and Jimmy Peirson took an undesirable turn after Labuschagne’s emotions spilled over when he decided to argue Valleys’ opponent Hugh Weibgen should have been given out caught, when umpires had ruled bump ball.

The catch was taken by Leigh Drennan, who is part of the “We Got the Chocolates” podcast in Queensland who boast more than 1 million fans across social media often discussing jokes and sport.

It’s understood Labuschagne did not use bad language, but the charge that’s been lodged claim there was clear dissent shown, as he remonstrated for a prolonged period.

The animated interaction was captured on cameras given the T20 Max matches are broadcast on Kayo and is a bad look for a player who is about to begin a tenure as Queensland captain and who would be a candidate to one-day succeed Pat Cummins as Test skipper of Australia.

Labuschagne remonstrated for a prolonged period – but didn’t use bad language.

It’s a wake-up call to a player who has for years walked a fine line in all levels of cricket for lingering at the crease after being dismissed and at other times letting his competitiveness juices get the better of him.

On one level Labuschagne deserves immense respect for the old school way he puts everything on the line for his grade club Redlands, just as he does for Australia.

But there is a line, and this is a lapse in judgement.

The 29-year-old – who is a potential future Australian captain needs to learn that he needs to be better in these high-octane moments.

Labuschagne continued the discussion at the end of the over.

Commentators of the Redlands and Valleys T20 Max semi-final broadcast on Kayo described Labuschagne as “blowing up deluxe” and observed, “I don’t think the umpire was too pleased with how all that unfolded.”

The no-catch controversy occurred during the 7th over of Valleys’ run-chase at Allan Border Field, and although no audio is available of the conversation, the footage shows Labuschagne animatedly trying to make his point to the umpire, a conversation which continued again after the next delivery.

The umpire appears to indicate with his own body language for Labuschagne to stop it and walk away.

At the end of the over, the two umpires convene in the middle and appear to make notes in their respective notebooks, with commentators speculating whether they were citing Labuschagne over the run-in.

The umpires convene and write something up after the run-in with Labuschagne.

Ultimately, the commentators defended Labuschagne and praised his passion and the fact he goes as hard for his grade side, Redlands as he does for Australia.

“I hope the umpires aren’t comparing notes there to maybe cite Marnus,” the commentator says.

“He never swears, or anything like that. He’s just passionate about the game. Pretty respectfully.

“Rightfully so. He thought there was a dismissal that was out, given not out, sometimes the blood can boil. Nothing personal. Just the emotions of this game we play. Sometimes gets the better of you.”

Good judges including former Test captain Tim Paine believe Labuschagne has the attributes to captain Australia and his state, Queensland, have finally given him leadership responsibilities this season.

But as a Test player he has a responsibility to show respect for umpires and this new charge highlights that temperament is something Labuschagne must work on if he wants to be the long-term captain many believe he could be.

Originally published as Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne cops dissent charge over grade cricket blow-up