Marnus Labuschagne displayed exceptional fielding skills in the third ODI between Australia and the West Indies in Canberra. Marnus Labuschagne’s diving catch also played a crucial role in Australian pacer Lance Morris securing his first wicket in international cricket.
Australia won the toss and chose to bowl. Xavier Bartlett made an early impact, dismissing West Indies opener Kjorn Ottley for 8 after trapping him on the pads. Ottley missed an opportunity to survive by not opting for the DRS, as replays indicated a clear inside edge.
Watch – Marnus Labuschagne Takes Sensational Flying Catch
In the 11th over of the West Indies innings, Lance Morris secured his maiden international wicket as he dismissed Keacy Carty with a well-executed catch by Marnus Labuschagne at backward point. Labuschagne leapt to his right, executing the stunning diving catch.
MARNUS!
Whatta catch – and first international wicket for Lance Morris too!#PlayOfTheDay | #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/KwZP43hEFd
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 6, 2024
“That’s a catch and a half,” Mark Howard screamed for Fox Cricket.
“That is an absolute beauty, flying away is Marnus Labuschagne, got two hands to it like a goalkeeper — top shelf.”
“Maccas classic if you don’t mind,” Brett Lee added.
Keacy Carty departed after scoring 10 runs off 20 deliveries, reducing the visiting team to 38/2. The West Indies faced another setback as skipper Shai Hope was trapped by Sean Abbott for four runs. Hope attempted to whip a delivery but was struck in front of the stumps.
Lance Morris secured his second wicket by dismissing Teddy Bishop (0) with a well-directed full delivery. Opener Alick Athanaze scored 32 runs off 60 deliveries before being dismissed by Adam Zampa. The visiting team lost their five wickets for just 71 runs in 19.5 overs.
The Shai Hope-led team was bowled out for a mere 86 runs in the match, with Xavier Bartlett impressively taking four wickets for just 21 runs. Lance Morris and Adam Zampa each claimed two wickets, while Sean Abbott picked up one wicket in the West Indies innings.
Australia vs West Indies Playing XI
The Australia team made two changes to their line-up for the final match, while the West Indies made one change for a dead rubber.
Australia: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Inglis (wk), Aaron Hardie, Steven Smith (c), Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Sean Abbott, Will Sutherland, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Lance Morris
West Indies: Alick Athanaze, Teddy Bishop, Kjorn Ottley, Shai Hope (c & wk), Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Oshane Thomas
The Australian team secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. They dominated the first game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with an eight-wicket victory, followed by another convincing 83-run win at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
After the ODI series, the Australia team and the West Indies team will face each other in a three-match T20I series from February 9 to 13. The first match is scheduled to be played in Hobart. The remaining matches in the upcoming series will be played in Adelaide and Perth.
Also read: Watch: Marnus Labuschagne suffers Déjà vu as Kevin Sinclair again takes a stunner to dismiss him
